Ch. 599

1996 LAWS OF MARYLAND

          WHEREAS, The Woodrow Wilson Bridge Coordinating Committee, established by
the Federal Highway Administration and comprised of representatives of federal, state,
and local governments, is undertaking planning studies pertaining to the Woodrow
Wilson Bridge, consistent with the provisions of the National Environmental Protection
Act and other applicable federal laws; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of a need for a limited federal role in the management
of this bridge and the growing local interest, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation has
recommended a transfer of authority and ownership from the federal to the local/state
level, consistent with the management of other bridges elsewhere in the nation; and

WHEREAS, A commission comprised of congressional, state, and local officials
and transportation representatives has recommended transfer of the Woodrow Wilson
Bridge to an independent authority; and

WHEREAS, A coordinated approach without regard to political and legal
jurisdictional boundaries, through the cooperation of the State of Maryland and the
Commonwealth of Virginia by and through an instrumentality and common agency of the
Commonwealth of Virginia and the State of Maryland is a proper and necessary step
looking towards the alleviation of traffic problems related to the inadequacy of the
existing Woodrow Wilson Bridge;]

WHEREAS, THE VOLUME OF TRAFFIC IN THE METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON,
D.C. AREA IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE BY MORE THAN 70% BETWEEN 1990 AND 2020;
AND

WHEREAS, THE DETERIORATION OF THE WOODROW WILSON MEMORIAL
BRIDGE AND THE GROWING POPULATION OF THE METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON,
D.C. AREA CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY TO TRAFFIC CONGESTION; AND

WHEREAS, THE WOODROW WILSON MEMORIAL BRIDGE SERVES AS A VITAL
LINK IN THE INTERSTATE SYSTEM AND THE NORTHEAST CORRIDOR, AND
IDENTIFYING ALTERNATIVE METHODS FOR MAINTAINING THE BRIDGE IS CRITICAL
TO ADDRESSING TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON D.C.
AREA; AND

WHEREAS, THE WOODROW WILSON MEMORIAL BRIDGE IS THE ONLY
DRAWBRIDGE IN THE METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON, D.C. AREA ON THE
INTERSTATE SYSTEM AND THE ONLY SEGMENT OF THE CAPITAL BELTWAY WITH
LESS THAN SIX LANES AND A REMAINING EXPECTED LIFE OF LESS THAN 10 YEARS;

AND

WHEREAS, THE WOODROW WILSON MEMORIAL BRIDGE WAS CONSTRUCTED
BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND IS THE ONLY PART OF THE INTERSTATE
SYSTEM OWNED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT; AND

WHEREAS, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, IN THE PAST, PAID 100% OF THE COST
OF BUILDING AND REHABILITATING THE BRIDGE AND HAS A CONTINUING
RESPONSIBILITY TO FUND THE FUTURE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE UPGRADING
OF THE POTOMAC RIVER CROSSING ON INTERSTATE 95, INCLUDING THE
REHABILITATION AND RECONSTRUCTION OF THE BRIDGE; AND

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