2015-13417. Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Lake Washington Ship Canal, Seattle, WA

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs three Seattle Department of Transportation bridges: 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 heavier than normal roadway traffic associated with a fireworks display over Lake Union. This deviation allows the bridges to remain in the closed-to-navigation position prior to and immediately after the fireworks display.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 9 p.m. on July 4, 2015 to 1 a.m. on July 05, 2015.

ADDRESSES:

The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2015-0459] 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 [phone], email [e-mail]. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Cheryl Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) has 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. The requested deviation is to accommodate heavier than normal roadway traffic associated with the 4th of July fireworks display over Lake Union, Seattle, WA. The deviation period is from 9 p.m. on July 4, 2015 to 1 a.m. on July 05, 2015. To facilitate this event, the draws of the bridges will be maintained in the closed-to-navigation positions as follows: the Fremont Bridge, mile 2.6, need not open for vessel traffic from 9 p.m. on July 4, 2015 to 12:30 a.m. on July 5, 2015; the Ballard Bridge, mile 1.1, and the University Bridge, mile 4.3, need not open for vessel traffic from 10 p.m. on July 4, 2015 to 1 a.m. July 5, 2015.

The Ballard Bridge, mile 1.1, provides a vertical clearance of 29 feet in the closed position, the Fremont Bridge, mile 2.6, provides a vertical clearance of 14 feet in the closed position, and the University Bridge, mile 4.3, provides a vertical clearance of 30 feet in the closed position; all clearances are referenced to the mean water elevation of Lake Washington. The normal operating schedule for all three bridges is in accordance with 33 CFR 117.1051 stating; all three bridges need not open from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday for vessels less than 1000 tons. The normal operating schedule for these bridges also requires one hour advance notification for bridge openings between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. daily. 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 positions may do so at anytime. The bridge will be able to open for emergency vessel responding to 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 28, 2015

Steven M. Fischer,

Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.