Washington Drawbridge to Stay Shut Unless Boaters Call Ahead
Published Date: 6/16/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The Coast Guard wants to change how the Puget Sound and Pacific railroad bridge over the Wishkah River in Aberdeen, WA operates. Since boats rarely need the bridge to open—only once or twice a year—the bridge will stay closed by default and only open if boaters give 24 hours’ notice. This means no more full-time bridge operator needed, saving time and money for the bridge owner and making things smoother for everyone.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Bridge owner reduces staffing and costs
Because the bridge will remain closed by default and open only after a minimum 24‑hour notice, the Coast Guard states there would no longer need to be a bridge operator always on site; this will save time and money for the bridge owner (Genesee & Wyoming Inc.). The change is based on bridge logs showing only 1–2 openings per year over the past ten years.
Bridge stays closed; 24‑hour notice to open
If you operate a vessel on the Wishkah River at Aberdeen, WA (mile 0.1), the Puget Sound & Pacific railroad bridge will be kept closed by default and will only be fully opened if you request it at least 24 hours in advance by telephone or VHF channel 13. The bridge currently provides 8 feet of vertical clearance above high tide when closed, there are no alternate river routes, and bridge logs show only 1–2 openings per year over the last ten years.
Low‑visibility blast‑signal requirement removed
The proposed rule removes the current requirement that the drawtender sound two prolonged blasts every minute when the bridge is closed and visibility at the drawtender station is less than one mile. Under the proposal, when the draw is opened or closed the drawtender would sound one prolonged blast followed by one short blast instead.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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