PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor

Ch. 599

WHEREAS, THE WOODROW WILSON MEMORIAL BRIDGE COORDINATION
COMMITTEE IS UNDERTAKING PLANNING STUDIES PERTAINING TO THE BRIDGE,
CONSISTENT WITH THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT OF 1969 AND
OTHER APPLICABLE FEDERAL LAWS; AND

WHEREAS, THE TRANSFER OF THE OWNERSHIP OF THE BRIDGE TO A
REGIONAL AUTHORITY UNDER THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS COMPACT
WOULD FOSTER REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY
SOLUTIONS TO THE GROWING PROBLEM OF TRAFFIC CONGESTION ON AND
AROUND THE BRIDGE; AND

WHEREAS, THE AUTHORITY SHOULD MAXIMIZE THE USE OF EXISTING PUBLIC
AND PRIVATE SECTOR ENTITIES TO PROVIDE NECESSARY PROJECT SERVICES,
INCLUDING MANAGEMENT, CONSTRUCTION, LEGAL, ACCOUNTING, AND
OPERATING SERVICES, AND NOT CREATE A NEW BUREAUCRACY OR
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE; AND

WHEREAS, ANY MATERIAL CHANGE TO THE BRIDGE MUST TAKE INTO
ACCOUNT THE INTERESTS OF NEARBY COMMUNITIES, THE COMMUTING PUBLIC,
FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS, AND OTHER
AFFECTED GROUPS; AND

WHEREAS, A COMMISSION OF FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL OFFICIALS AND
TRANSPORTATION REPRESENTATIVES HAS RECOMMENDED TO THE SECRETARY OF
THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION THAT THE BRIDGE BE TRANSFERRED
TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTHORITY TO BE ESTABLISHED BY THE COMMONWEALTH
OF VIRGINIA, THE STATE OF MARYLAND, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA; now,
therefore, the [states] STATE of Maryland [and], THE COMMONWEALTH of Virginia,
AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, hereafter referred to as the signatories, covenant
and agree as follows:

Woodrow Wilson Bridge and Tunnel Compact

CHAPTER I

General Compact Provisions

Article I

DEFINITIONS

AS USED IN THIS COMPACT THE FOLLOWING WORDS SHALL HAVE THE
FOLLOWING MEANINGS:

1.       "BRIDGE" MEANS THE EXISTING WOODROW WILSON MEMORIAL BRIDGE.

2.       "COST', AS APPLIED TO THE PROJECT, MEANS THE COST OF ACQUISITION
OF ALL LANDS, STRUCTURES, RIGHTS-OF-WAY, FRANCHISES, EASEMENTS, AND
OTHER PROPERTY RIGHTS AND INTERESTS; THE COST OF LEASE PAYMENTS; THE
COST OF CONSTRUCTION; THE COST OF DEMOLISHING, REMOVING, OR RELOCATING
ANY BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES ON LANDS ACQUIRED, INCLUDING THE COST OF
ACQUIRING ANY LANDS TO WHICH SUCH BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES MAY BE

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