80 FR 29533 - Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Lake Washington Ship Canal, Seattle, WA

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 99 (May 22, 2015)

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Washington State Department of Transportation Montlake Bridge across the Lake Washington Ship Canal, mile 5.2, at Seattle, WA. The deviation is necessary to accommodate the University of Washington, and University of Washington Bothell commencement ceremony traffic. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position to accommodate the timely movement of vehicular traffic.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 99 (Friday, May 22, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29533-29534]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-12435]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2015-0464]


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 Washington State Department of 
Transportation Montlake Bridge across the Lake Washington Ship Canal, 
mile 5.2, at Seattle, WA. The deviation is necessary to accommodate the 
University of Washington, and University of Washington Bothell 
commencement ceremony traffic. This deviation allows the bridge to 
remain in the closed-to-navigation position to accommodate the timely 
movement of vehicular traffic.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 9:30 a.m. on June 13, 2015 to 
6:15 p.m. on June 14, 2015.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2015-0464] 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. You may also visit the Docket 
Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the 
Department of Transportation West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.

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]. If you have questions on viewing the 
docket, call Cheryl Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, 
telephone 202-366-9826.

[[Page 29534]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The University of Washington, through the 
Washington Department of Transportation, has requested that the 
Montlake Bridge bascule span remain closed-to-navigation position, and 
need not open to vessel traffic to facilitate timely movement of 
commencement vehicular traffic.
    The Montlake Bridge across the Lake Washington Ship Canal, at mile 
5.2, in the closed position provides 30 feet of vertical clearance 
throughout the navigation channel, and 46 feet of vertical clearance 
throughout the center 60-feet of the bridge; vertical clearance 
references to the Mean Water Level of Lake Washington.
    The normal operating schedule for Montlake Bridge operates in 
accordance with 33 CFR 117.1051(e) which requires the bridge to open on 
signal, except that the bridge need not open for vessels less than 
1,000 gross tons between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. 
Monday through Friday.
    The deviation period is from 9:30 a.m. on June 13, 2015 to 6:15 
p.m. on June 14, 2015. The deviation allows the bascule span of the 
Montlake Bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position from 
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on June 13, 2015, 
and from 11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. on June 14, 
2015. Waterway usage on the Lake Washington Ship Canal ranges from 
commercial tug and barge to small pleasure craft.
    Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed-to-navigation 
position may do so at any time. The bridge will 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 bridge so that vessels can arrange their 
transits to minimize any impact caused by the temporary deviation.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridge must return to 
its regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the designated 
time period. This deviation from the operating regulations is 
authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: May 15, 2015.
Steven M Fischer,
Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2015-12435 Filed 5-21-15; 8:45 am]
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