[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 239 (Thursday, December 13, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 64024]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-26976]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[Docket No. USCG-2018-1053]
Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Lake Washington Ship Canal,
Seattle, WA
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the
operating schedule that governs the Ballard Bridge, mile 1.1, the
Fremont Bridge, mile 2.6, and the University Bridge, mile 4.3, all
crossing the Lake Washington Ship Canal at Seattle, WA. The deviation
is necessary to accommodate re-routed roadway traffic while the Alaskan
Way Viaduct is closed. This deviation allows the subject bridges to
remain in the closed-to-navigation position to allow congested roadway
traffic to move easier.
DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on January 11, 2019, to
7 p.m. on February 9, 2019.
ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, USCG-2018-1053 is available
at http://www.regulations.gov. Type the docket number in the ``SEARCH''
box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open Docket Folder on the line
associated with this deviation.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this
temporary deviation, call or email Mr. Steven Fischer, Bridge
Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District; telephone 206-220-7282,
email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT),
the owner of the impacted drawbridges, requested a temporary deviation
from the operating schedule for the Ballard Bridge, mile 1.1, the
Fremont Bridge, mile 2.6, and the University Bridge, mile 4.3, all
crossing the Lake Washington Ship Canal at Seattle, WA, to facilitate
morning and afternoon re-routed roadway traffic. Washington Department
of Transportation is closing the Alaskan Way Viaduct forever, and have
not finished building new ramp approaches to the new SR99 Tunnel into
Seattle, WA. During the closure of the viaduct, SDOT will be re-routing
roadway traffic into Seattle across the Lake Washington Ship Canal, and
requested to extend the closure hours of the subject bridges. The
Ballard Bridge provides a vertical clearance of 29 feet in the closed-
to-navigation position; the Fremont Bridge provides a vertical
clearance of 14 feet (31 feet of vertical clearance for the center 36
horizontal feet) in the closed-to-navigation position; the University
Bridge provides a vertical clearance of 30 feet (45 feet at the center)
in the closed-to-navigation position. Vertical clearances refer to the
Mean Water Level of Lake Washington. The normal operating schedule for
the three subject bridges is in 33 CFR 117.1051(d).
During this deviation period, the three subject bridge draws need
not open per the following table for vessels of less than 1000 gross
tons, unless the vessel has in tow a vessel of 1000 gross tones or
more:
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Bridge Date Time Span position
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Fremont.............................. Jan 11, 2019 to Feb 9, 7 a.m. to 10 a.m........ Closed.
2019.
Fremont.............................. Jan 11, 2019 to Feb 9, 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m...... Closed.
2019.
Ballard.............................. Jan 11, 2019 to Feb 9, 7 a.m. to 10 a.m........ Closed.
2019.
Ballard.............................. Jan 11, 2019 to Feb 9, 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m...... Closed.
2019.
University........................... Jan 11, 2019 to Feb 9, 7 a.m. to 10 a.m........ Closed.
2019.
University........................... Jan 11, 2019 to Feb 9, 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m...... Closed.
2019.
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Waterway usage on the Lake Washington Ship Canal range from
commercial tug and barge to small pleasure craft. Vessels able to pass
through the subject bridges in the closed-to-navigation position may do
so at any time. All three bridges will not be able to open for
emergencies, and there is no immediate alternate route for vessels to
pass. The Coast Guard will also inform the users of the waterways
through our Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the change in
operating schedule for the bridges so that vessel operators can arrange
their transits to minimize any impact caused by the temporary
deviation.
In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the three drawbridges must
return to their regular operating schedules immediately at the end of
the effective period of this temporary deviation. This deviation from
the operating regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.
Dated: December 3, 2018.
Steven M. Fischer,
Bridge Chief Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2018-26976 Filed 12-12-18; 8:45 am]
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