bas·cule
Pronunciation: 'bas-kyül
Function: noun
Etymology: French, seesaw
: an apparatus or structure (as a drawbridge) in which one end is counterbalanced by the other on the principle of the seesaw or by weights
The
City of Seattle operates three bascule bridges over the Lake Washington Ship
Canal: Ballard, Fremont, and University. The State of Washington operates the
Montlake bridge. The other day I waited at the Fremont bridge waiting for rush
hour to be over. Stupid me, I did not research weekday bridge opening times.
Here is what I later came up with:
When requesting a bridge opening from 7:00 AM - 11:00 PM vessels should contact the bridge by radio (Marine Band channel 13) or use a whistle signal - one long, one short. Pleasure vessels are requested by the Coast Guard to use a whistle signal from 7:00 AM to dusk. Boaters please see the Rush Hour Schedule below, as bridge openings are restricted during these time periods. For bridge openings after 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM, please see section below titled Bridge Openings by Appointment.
On the Lake Washington Ship Canal, a bridge opening averages about four (4) minutes, from stopping traffic to letting traffic resume at the end of an opening.Ballard Bridge - 44'
Fremont Bridge - 30'
University Bridge - 42', 6"
Montlake Bridge - 46'
Rush-Hour Schedules
Ballard, Fremont and University bridges remain closed to boaters weekdays from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 to 6:00 p.m, except national holidays.
During closed periods, bridge openings will not be made unless a vessel is 1,000 gross tons or more, or is towing a vessel exceeding 1,000 gross tons (Federal Regulation).
One bridge operator (the Call-out Bridge Operator) is responsible for all three Ship Canal bridges between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Vessels are required to give a one hour advance notice for a bridge opening. To request an opening, vessels should call the Bridge Shop on Marine Channel 13, or by telephone at 386-4251 after 11:00 p.m. The operator will drive to the bridge at the agreed time. As you transit the ship canal, the bridge operator will drive from bridge to bridge, opening them for you as you arrive. Now that's service!
The Call-out Operator schedules all the appointments for efficient use of time by grouping boats and limiting the amount of driving time between bridges.
The Montlake Bridge is operated by the State and has a different schedule. It has someone present in the tower twenty four hours a day. Can you wave please? Call (206) 720-3048 (or marine ch.13).
Closed weekdays between 7-10 am and 3:30-7:00 pm {September 1 - April 30}.
Closed weekdays between 7-9 am and 3:30-6:00 pm {May 1 - August 31}.
Scheduled openings on weekdays are on the hour and half-hour between 12:30-3:30
pm. No scheduled closures on weekends or national holidays.
The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks are operated twenty four hours a day. No appointment is necessary. Just wait for the green light!
The Burlington Northern Bridge with a clearance 43 feet (13.11 m) at high tide (mean high water of an approximate 10-foot/3.05-m tide) is normally up unless a train is coming. This is the only bridge on the ship canal west of the locks.
Remember, one long, one short, and if it's rush hour, you ain't going nowhere..
Scott Voltz