[Federal Register: August 8, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 151)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 45536-45537]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08au05-13]
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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]
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