[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 152 (Tuesday, August 7, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38660-38661]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-16848]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2018-0702]


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 Montlake Bridge across the Lake 
Washington Ship Canal, mile 5.2, at Seattle, WA. The deviation is 
necessary to accommodate vehicular traffic attending football games at 
Husky Stadium at the University of Washington. This deviation allows 
the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 11:30 a.m. on September 8, 2018 
through 11 p.m. on November 17, 2018.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, USCG-2018-0702 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.

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 206-220-7282, 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Washington Department of Transportation 
(bridge owner), has requested a temporary deviation from the operating 
schedule for the Montlake Bridge across the Lake Washington Ship Canal, 
at mile 5.2, at Seattle, WA. The deviation is necessary to manage heavy 
vehicular traffic expected for University of Washington football games. 
While all dates have been released, exact game times for five of the 
six events scheduled for Husky Stadium have not yet been determined by 
the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The times for TBA (Time 
to Be Announced) closures on September 22, 2018, September 29, 2018, 
October 20, 2018, November 3, 2018 and November 17, 2018 will be 
announced in the Local Notice to Mariners as they become available. The 
Montlake Bridge in the closed-to-navigation position provides 30 feet 
of vertical clearance throughout

[[Page 38661]]

the navigation channel, and 46 feet of vertical clearance throughout 
the center 60 feet of the bridge; vertical clearance references to the 
Mean Water Level of Lake Washington.
    The normal operating schedule for the Montlake Bridge operates in 
accordance with 33 CFR 117.1051(e). The deviation period and span 
operation is described in the table below:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Time/date start             Time/date end          Action
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sep 8, 2018  5 p.m. to 7:30      span in the closed-
                                   p.m. Sep 8, 2018.   to-navigation
                                                       position.
TBA Sep 22, 2018................  TBA Sep 22, 2018..  span in the closed-
                                                       to-navigation
                                                       position.
TBA Sep 29, 2018................  TBA Sep 29, 2018..  span in the closed-
                                                       to-navigation
                                                       position.
TBA Oct 20, 2018................  TBA Oct 20, 2018..  span in the closed-
                                                       to-navigation
                                                       position.
TBA Nov 3, 2018.................  TBA Nov 3, 2018...  span in the closed-
                                                       to-navigation
                                                       position.
TBA Nov 17, 2018................  TBA Nov 17, 2018..  span in the closed-
                                                       to-navigation
                                                       position.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-to-navigation position may do so at 
anytime. The bridge will be able to open for emergency vessels in route 
to a call when an hour notice is given to the bridge operator. The Lake 
Washington Ship Canal has 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 31, 2018.
Steven M. Fischer,
Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2018-16848 Filed 8-6-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


