[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 248 (Wednesday, December 27, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 77612-77613]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-22148]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD05-06-119]
RIN 1625-AA-09


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Potomac River, 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 issued a 
temporary deviation from the regulation 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 December 25, 2006 until and 
including February 22, 2007, 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 December 25, 2006, 
until 2 p.m. on February 22, 2007.

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,

[[Page 77613]]

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 proceed with commissioning 
activities through February 22, 2007. 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, 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, December 25, 2006 
through February 22, 2007 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 since demolition of the 
existing drawbridge continues in addition to the lift spans removed. 
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 December 25, 2006 through 
February 22, 2007 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: December 11, 2006.
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,
Chief, Bridge Administration Branch, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. E6-22148 Filed 12-26-06; 8:45 am]
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