80 FR 29534 - Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Duwamish Waterway, 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 Spokane Street Swing Bridge across the Duwamish Waterway, mile 0.3, at Seattle, WA. The deviation is necessary to enable timely completion of new electrical equipment. This deviation allows the drawbridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position for marine traffic.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 99 (Friday, May 22, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 29534]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-12434]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2015-0463]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Duwamish Waterway, 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 Spokane Street Swing Bridge across 
the Duwamish Waterway, mile 0.3, at Seattle, WA. The deviation is 
necessary to enable timely completion of new electrical equipment. This 
deviation allows the drawbridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation 
position for marine traffic.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 8 a.m. to Noon on June 1, 2015.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2015-0463] 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 M. Fischer, Thirteenth 
Coast Guard District Bridge Administrator; 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Seattle Department of Transportation 
(SDOT) has requested a deviation from the operating schedule of Spokane 
Street Swing Bridge to install new electrical equipment. SDOT chose 
this date and time to coordinate a work day during a low tide to 
minimize any impacts with waterway traffic. The Spokane Street Bridge 
is located in the Duwamish Waterway, mile 0.3, at Seattle, WA, and 
provides 55 feet of vertical clearance at center span, and 44 feet of 
vertical clearance at the east and west sides of the navigation channel 
while in the closed position. Vessels have unlimited vertical clearance 
with the swing span in the fully open position. Vertical clearances are 
referenced to mean high-water elevation.
    The deviation period is from 8 a.m. to Noon on June 1, 2015. The 
deviation allows the Spokane Street Swing Bridge across the Duwamish 
Waterway, mile 0.3, at Seattle, WA, to remain in the closed-to-
navigation position and need not open for maritime traffic from 8 a.m. 
to Noon on June 1, 2015.
    The normal operating schedule for the bridge is in 33 CFR 117.1041, 
which specifies that the draws of each bridge across the Duwamish 
Waterway shall open on signal. The deviation period is effective from 8 
a.m. to Noon on June 1, 2015, and allows the drawbridge to remain in 
the closed-to-navigation position. Vessel traffic on the Duwamish 
waterway consists of vessels ranging from small pleasure craft, 
sailboats, small tribal fishing boats, and commercial tug and tow, and 
mega yachts.
    Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed position may 
do so at any time, but are requested to transit at a minimum safe speed 
with no wake for worker safety. The bridge 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 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 effective 
period of this temporary deviation. 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. 2015-12434 Filed 5-21-15; 8:45 am]
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