[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 239 (Monday, December 14, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 77252-77253]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31388]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[Docket No. USCG-2015-1066]
Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Hoquiam River, Hoquiam, WA
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from drawbridge regulation.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the
operating schedule that governs the Simpson Avenue Bridge across the
Hoquiam River, mile 0.5, at Hoquiam, WA. The deviation is necessary to
accommodate Washington State Department of Transportation's (WSDOT)
extensive maintenance and restoration efforts on this bridge. This
deviation allows WSDOT to open one leaf of the double leaf bascule
bridge when at least two hours of notice is given. The vertical
clearance will be reduced to approximately 25 feet at mean high tide,
and the horizontal clearance will be reduced to 52 feet.
[[Page 77253]]
DATES: This deviation is effective from 6 a.m. on December 11, 2015 to
11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2015.
ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2015-1066] 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 the Bridge Administrator, Coast
Guard Thirteenth District; telephone 206-220-7282 email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: WSDOT has requested a temporary deviation
from the operating schedule for the Simpson Avenue Bridge crossing the
Hoquiam River, mile 0.5, at Hoquiam, WA. WSDOT requested to only open
one leaf of the double leaf bascule bridge when at least two hours of
notice is given. WSDOT also requested to reduce the vertical clearance
from 35 feet to approximately 25 feet at mean high tide, and reduce the
horizontal navigation clearance from 125 feet to 52 feet while
operating single leaf.
The normal operating schedule for the Simpson Avenue Bridge
operates in accordance with 33 CFR 117.1047, which states the bridge
shall open on signal if at least one hour notice is given. Simpson
Avenue Bridge is a double leaf bascule bridge and provides 35 feet of
vertical clearance above mean high water elevation while in the closed-
to-navigation position.
This deviation allows the Simpson Avenue Bridge at mile 0.5
crossing the Hoquiam River, to operate in single leaf, half of the
span, to maritime traffic from 6 a.m. on December 11, 2015 to 11:59
p.m. on December 31, 2015. The bridge shall operate in accordance to 33
CFR 117.1047 at all other times.
Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed-to-navigation
position may do so at anytime. Scaffolding will be erected below the
bridge for personnel to work from reducing the vertical clearance to
approximately 25 feet while the bridge is in the closed-to-navigation
position. The bridge will not be able to open for vessels engaged in
emergency response operations during this closure period without a two
hour notice.
Waterway usage on this part of the Hoquiam River ranges from tug
and barge to small pleasure craft. WSDOT has examined bridge opening
logs, and contacted all waterway users that have requested bridge
openings throughout the last year. The input WSDOT received from
waterway users indicated that this deviation will have no impact on the
known users. No immediate alternate route for vessels to pass is
available on this part of the river. 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
their regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the
effective period of this temporary deviation. This deviation from the
operating regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.
Dated: December 8, 2015.
Steven M. Fischer,
Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2015-31388 Filed 12-11-15; 8:45 am]
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