2014-17856. 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 the University Bridge, mile 4.3, across Lake Washington Ship Canal at Seattle, WA. The deviation is necessary to allow King County Metro Transit to perform essential maintenance on the University Bridge. This deviation allows one half (leaf) of the bridge to remain in the closed position and need not open to marine traffic.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 11 p.m. on August 1, 2014, to 6 a.m. on August 2, 2014, and from 11 p.m. on August 15, 2014, to 6 a.m. on August 16, 2014.

ADDRESSES:

The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2014-0603] 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:

The Seattle Department of Transportation has requested a temporary deviation from the operating schedule for the University Bridge, mile 4.3, across the Lake Washington Ship Canal at Seattle, WA. The requested deviation is to allow Seattle Department of Transportation to perform essential maintenance on the University Bridge. The planned maintenance includes routine cleaning and inspecting of the gear reducers. To facilitate this maintenance period, one side of the draws of the bridge will be maintained in the closed-to-navigation position from 11 p.m. on August 1, 2014 to 6 a.m. on August 2, 2014, and again from 11 p.m. on August 15, 2014 to 6 a.m. on August 16, 2014. Vessels that do not require bridge openings may continue to transit beneath the bridge during the closure periods. The bridge will not be able to open for emergencies.

The University Bridge, mile 4.3, provides a vertical clearance of 30 feet in the closed position; clearances are referenced to the mean water elevation of Lake Washington. The current operating schedule for the bridge is set out in 33 CFR 117.1051. The normal operating schedule for the University Bridge states that the bridge 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 the bridge 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 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 designated time period. This deviation from the operating regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

Dated: July 10, 2014.

Steven M. Fischer,

Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.