[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 151 (Monday, August 8, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45536-45537]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15619]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD05-05-093]
RIN 1625-AA-09


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Potomac River, Between 
Alexandria, VA and Oxon Hill, MD

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has approved a 
temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the 
Woodrow Wilson Memorial (I-95) Bridge, mile 103.8, across the Potomac 
River between Alexandria, VA and Oxon Hill, MD. This deviation allows 
the drawbridge to remain closed to navigation from 8 p.m. on August 12, 
2005, to 5 a.m. on August 15, 2005, to facilitate the beltway shift of 
vehicular traffic for the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge construction 
project.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 8 p.m. on August 12, 2005, to 5 
a.m. on August 15, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Materials referred to in this document are available for 
inspection or copying at Commander (obr), Fifth Coast Guard District, 
Federal Building, 1st Floor, 431 Crawford Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704-
5004 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The telephone number is (757) 398-6222. Commander (obr), 
Fifth Coast Guard District maintains the public docket for this 
temporary deviation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Waverly W. Gregory, Jr., Bridge 
Administrator, Fifth Coast Guard District, at (757) 398-6222.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The existing Woodrow Wilson Memorial (I-95) 
Bridge has a vertical clearance in the closed-to-vessel position of 50 
feet at mean high water and 52 feet at mean low water.
    Coordinators for the construction of the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge 
Project requested a temporary deviation from the current operating 
regulation for the existing Woodrow Wilson Memorial (I-95) Bridge set 
out in 33 CFR 117.255(a). The coordinators requested the temporary 
deviation to close the existing drawbridge to navigation to accommodate 
the shifting of vehicular traffic on the Outer Loop of the Capital 
Beltway/I-95 North. The Outer Loop of the Capital Beltway/I-95 North 
will be reduced from three lanes to only one lane between the Route 1 
Interchange and the Wilson Bridge. Project traffic engineers anticipate 
traffic impacts to peak on Saturday afternoon, with 10 to 15 mile 
backups and delays of 60 to 90 minutes. Maintaining the existing 
drawbridge in the closed-to-navigation position from 8 p.m. on Friday, 
August 12, 2005, to 5 a.m. on Monday, August 15, 2005, will help reduce 
the impact on vehicular traffic during this phase of new bridge 
construction.
    The Coast Guard has informed the known users of the waterway of the 
closure period for the bridge so that these vessels can arrange their 
transits to minimize any impact caused by the temporary deviation.
    The District Commander has granted a temporary deviation from the 
operating requirements listed in 33 CFR 117.35 for the purpose of 
repair completion of the drawbridge. The temporary deviation allows the 
Woodrow Wilson Memorial (I-95) Bridge, mile 103.8, across the Potomac 
River between Alexandria, Virginia and Oxon Hill, Maryland, to remain 
closed to navigation from 8 p.m. on August 12, 2005, through 5 a.m. on 
August 15, 2005.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(c), this work will be performed 
with all due speed in order to return the bridge to normal operation as 
soon as possible. This deviation from the operating regulations is 
authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.


[[Page 45537]]


    Dated: August 1, 2005.
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,
Chief, Bridge Administration Branch, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 05-15619 Filed 8-5-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P