[Federal Register: December 27, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 248)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 77612-77613]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27de06-10]
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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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