Rules and Regulations. Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation

Agency: Coast Guard, DHS
Action: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation
Citation: FR Doc. 2014-18372 · Docket No. USCG-2014-0670 · 33 CFR 117

Summary

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Montlake Bridge across the Lake Washington Ship Canal, mile 5.2, in Seattle, WA. The deviation is necessary to accommodate vehicular traffic attending football games at Husky Stadium at the University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed position two hours before and two hours after each game. Please note that the game times for five of the seven games scheduled for Husky Stadium have not yet been determined due to NCAA television scheduling.

Dates

This deviation is effective from 10 a.m. on September 6, 2014 through November 22, 2014.

Supplementary Information

The Washington State Department of Transportation, on behalf of the University of Washington Police Department, has requested that the Montlake Bridge bascule span remain closed and need not open to vessel traffic to facilitate timely movement of pre-game and post-game football traffic. The Montlake Bridge crosses the Lake Washington Ship Canal at mile 5.2 and while 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. These vertical clearance measurements are made in reference to the Mean Water Level of Lake Washington. Vessels which do not require a bridge opening may continue to transit beneath the bridges during this closure period. Under normal conditions this bridge opens on signal, subject to the list of exceptions provided in 33 CFR 117.1051(e). This deviation period will cover the dates September 6, 2014 to November 22, 2014 as follows. From 10 a.m. to Noon, and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on September 6, 2014; from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on September 13, 2014. The times for the closures on September 20, 2014, September 27, 2014, October 25, 2014, November 8, 2014, and November 22, 2014 will be determined and announced in the Coast Guard's Local Notice to Mariners and Broadcast Notice to Mariners as they become available. Due to NCAA television scheduling, the times for the games are not currently available. The deviation allows the bascule span of the Montlake Bridge to remain in the closed position and need not open for maritime traffic from 10 a.m. to Noon, and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on September 6, 2014, and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on September 13, 2014, for times to be determined on September 20, 2014, September 27, 2014, October 25, 2014, November 8, 2014, and November 22, 2014. The bridge shall operate in accordance to 33 CFR § 117.1051(e) at all other times. 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 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 drawbridges 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 24, 2014. Steven M. Fischer, Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District. [FR Doc. 2014-18372 Filed 8-4-14; 8:45 am]