2013-00886. Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Snohomish River, Everett, WA

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedules that govern the SR 529 Bridges across the Snohomish River, mile 3.6 near Everett, WA. This deviation is necessary to facilitate heavy maintenance and equipment upgrades on the bridges. This deviation allows the bridges to remain in the closed position during maintenance activities.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 8 a.m. on January 21, 2013, through 6 p.m. March 15, 2013.

ADDRESSES:

The docket, USCG-2013-0008, for this deviation is available online; go to http://www.regulations.gov,, type the docket number in the “SEARCH” box and click “SEARCH,” and then click on “Open Docket Folder” next to the item listing this notice of 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 the Bridge Administrator, Coast Guard Thirteenth District; telephone [phone], email [e-mail]. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has requested that the SR 529 Bridges across the Snohomish River remain closed to vessel traffic to facilitate heavy maintenance and equipment upgrades on the bridges. The SR 529 Bridges cross the Snohomish River at mile 3.6 and provide 38 feet of vertical clearance above mean high water elevation while in the closed position. Vessels which do not require a bridge opening may continue to transit beneath the bridges during this closure period. Under normal conditions the SR 529 Bridges crossing the Snohomish River operate in accordance with 33 CFR 117.1059(c) which requires advance notification of 1 hour when a bridge opening is needed. This deviation period is from 8 a.m. on January 21, 2013, through 6 p.m. March 15, 2013. The deviation allows the SR 529 Bridges crossing the Snohomish River to remain in the closed position and need not open for maritime traffic from 8 a.m. on January 21, 2013, through 6 p.m. March 15, 2013. The bridges shall operate in accordance to 33 CFR 117.1059 at all other times. Waterway usage on the Snohomish River includes vessels ranging from commercial tug and barge to small pleasure craft. Mariners will be notified and kept informed of the bridges' operational status via the construction contractor performing the maintenance as well as via the Coast Guard Notice to Mariners publication and Broadcast Notice to Mariners as appropriate. The bridges will not be able to open during this maintenance activity because the lifting mechanisms will be inoperable.

In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridges must return to their 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: January 7, 2013.

Randall D. Overton,

Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.