[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 211 (Wednesday, November 1, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64113-64114]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-18332]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD05-06-108]
RIN 1625-AA-09


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Potomac River, Between Maryland 
and Virginia

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 
new Woodrow Wilson Memorial (I-95) Bridge, mile 103.8, across Potomac 
River between Alexandria, Virginia and Oxon Hill, Maryland. This 
deviation allows the new drawbridge to remain closed-to-navigation each 
day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning on October 25, 2006 until and 
including December 24, 2006, to facilitate completion of the Outer Loop 
portion for the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge construction project.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 10 a.m. on October 25, 2006, 
until 2 p.m. on December 24, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Materials referred to in this document are available for 
inspection or copying at Commander (dpb), 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 (dpb), 
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: In June 2006, the southernmost portion of 
the bascule spans for the new Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge, at mile 
103.8, across Potomac River between Alexandria, Virginia and Oxon Hill, 
Maryland was publicly placed into service, switching I-95 Northbound 
traffic onto the new Outer Loop portion of the bridge. The newly-
constructed portion of bridge will be required to open for vessels in 
accordance with the current drawbridge operating regulations set out in 
33 CFR 117.255(c).
    While the drawbridge is operational, coordinators for the 
construction of the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project indicated that 
the bascule span is not yet fully commissioned and the work continues 
through the rigorous testing phase. Opening the new bascule span for a 
vessel at this time would take approximately 45 minutes in a best case 
scenario. This has the potential to have a significant impact upon I-95 
traffic, especially during the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. bridge-opening time 
frame currently available for commercial vessels, in accordance with 33 
CFR 117.255(c).
    Coordinators requested a temporary deviation from the current 
operating regulation for the new Woodrow Wilson Memorial (I-95) Bridge 
set out in 33 CFR 117.255(c).
    Though good progress has been made regarding commissioning of the 
north and south drawbridges (both now carrying I-95 vehicle traffic), 
the coordinators are requesting an additional two months of the 10 a.m. 
to 2 p.m. restriction of bridge operation to

[[Page 64114]]

proceed with commissioning activities through December 24, 2006. From a 
river-user standpoint, the coordinators have received no requests from 
boaters or mariners to open during the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. timeframe 
since the restriction was issued in late June 2006. In fact, no 
requests have been received for an opening of the new bridge at all 
since July 3, 2006. Finally, the coordinators have received no 
complaints on the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. restriction.
    The coordinators requested that the new Outer Loop portion of the 
new drawbridge not be available for openings for vessels each day 
between the hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. from Monday, October 25 through 
December 24, 2006 or until the bridge is properly commissioned, 
whichever comes first. The temporary deviation will only affect vessels 
with mast heights of 75 feet or greater as the existing drawbridge is 
able to open in accordance with the current operating regulations set 
out in 33 CFR 117.255(a). Management of the Federal and auxiliary 
channels will continue to be closely coordinated between the 
coordinators for the construction of the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge 
Project, the Coast Guard and vessels requesting transit through the 
construction zone. Furthermore, all affected vessels with mast heights 
greater than 75 feet will be able to receive an opening of the new 
drawbridge in the ``off-peak'' vehicle traffic hours (evening and 
overnight) in accordance with 33 CFR 117.255(c). Maintaining the new 
drawbridge in the closed-to-navigation position each day from 10 a.m. 
to 2 p.m. on October 25, 2006 through December 24, 2006 will help 
reduce the impact to 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.
    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.

    Dated: October 20, 2006.
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,
Chief, Bridge Administration Branch, Fifth Coast Guard District.
 [FR Doc. E6-18332 Filed 10-31-06; 8:45 am]
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