
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 216 (Tuesday, November 8, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 69131]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-28846]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2011-0973]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Lake Washington Ship Canal, 
Seattle, WA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Commander, Thirteenth Coast Guard District, has issued a 
temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the 
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Bridge across the Lake Washington 
Ship Canal, mile 0.1, at Seattle, WA. The deviation is necessary to 
facilitate replacement of a counterweight trunnion bearing. This 
deviation allows the bridge to remain in the down or closed position 
during the maintenance period.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 8 p.m. on November 8, 2011 
through 5 p.m. on November 22, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2011-0973 and are available online 
by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2011-0973 in the 
``Keyword'' box and then clicking ``Search''. They are also available 
for inspection or copying at the Docket Management Facility (M-30), 
U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room 
W12-140, 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 rule, 
call or email the Bridge Administrator, Coast Guard Thirteenth 
District; telephone (206) 220-7282 email randall.d.overton@uscg.mil. If 
you have questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program 
Manager, Docket Operations, telephone (202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway 
has requested to not open the BNSF Rail Bascule Bridge across the Lake 
Washington Ship Canal, mile 0.1, for vessel traffic for a 14 day period 
to facilitate heavy maintenance on the bridge. The bridge provides 43 
feet of vertical clearance above mean high water while in the closed 
position. Under normal operations this bridge opens on signal as 
required by 33 CFR 117.5 and 33 CFR 117.1051(c). The deviation period 
is from 8 p.m. November 8, 2011 through 5 p.m. November 22, 2011. This 
deviation allows the draw span of the BNSF Railway Bridge across the 
Lake Washington Ship Canal, mile 0.1, to remain in the closed position 
and to not open for maritime traffic from 8 p.m. November 8, 2011 
through 5 p.m. November 22, 2011. This time frame was selected because 
it corresponds with the closure of the Army Corps of Engineering Hiram 
M. Chittenden lock immediately upstream or inland of the bridge on the 
Lake Washington Ship Canal. This stretch of the Lake Washington Ship 
Canal experiences heavy waterway usage and is utilized by vessels 
ranging from commercial tug and barge to pleasure craft. Mariners have 
been notified and will be kept informed of the bridge's operational 
status via the Coast Guard Notice to Mariners publication and Broadcast 
Notice to Mariners as appropriate. Vessels which do not require a 
bridge opening may continue to transit beneath the bridge during this 
closure period. Due to the nature of work being performed the draw span 
will be unable to open for maritime traffic during this maintenance 
period.
    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: October 26, 2011.
Randall D. Overton,
Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2011-28846 Filed 11-7-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


