The U.S. Senate approved yesterday a provision that would allow construction on a new Woodrow Wilson Bridge to begin on schedule this fall, creating an exception to a law that requires full funding for the project to be in place first.
The provision, proposed by Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va.) as an amendment to a military appropriations bill, passed by a voice vote and is expected to be signed into law by President Clinton, Warner's office said. The House passed the measure Thursday night.
Warner said the legislation "does not circumvent any environmental regulations" and is designed to "keep the bridge on a schedule that was established not by politicians but by engineers."
The waiver gives the federal government, Maryland and Virginia authority to begin dredging and foundation work on the project by October, instead of having to wait at least another year, said Carter Cornick, a spokesman for Warner. Dredging in the Potomac River can be done only from Oct. 15 to Feb. 15 because of environmental regulations.
The waiver provision was driven by recognition among area congressional delegations that additional federal funding for the bridge was unlikely to materialize in the short term. Since the law specifies that money already authorized for the bridge cannot be spent until the project is fully funded, the waiver was needed to start construction to keep alive any hope of meeting the scheduled 2004 completion date.
State officials still harbor reservations about starting construction without full funding.
"We're still missing $600 million," said Shirley J. Ybarra, Virginia's transportation secretary. She said the waiver shows Warner's "concern for commuters" and desire not to delay construction, but "we still have concerns about finding the rest of the money."
Congress has approved $900 million, and Virginia and Maryland have pledged $200 million each, leaving an estimated shortfall of up to $1.2 billion. Originally, the bridge was expected to cost $1.9 billion, and the additional $600 million being sought from Congress would have represented full funding.
Addressing the states' concerns, Warner said: "All I can say is that if they don't move forward with this authority I've given them, then they're facing a year's delay. That's a tough decision for those governors to make. . . . I would urge them not to let this bridge be delayed a year."
He said he expects Congress, working with the governors and the federal secretary of transportation, to "fashion the final financial package" next year.
Washington area businesses urged all parties concerned to seize on Warner's amendment.
"It's important to take advantage of this waiver and move as quickly as possible with leadership from the governors [of Maryland and Virginia] to get this bridge started," said Robert Grow, director of transportation for the 1,200-member Greater Washington Board of Trade, a chamber of commerce for the District, Northern Virginia and suburban Maryland. "It just can't wait."
Engineers warned Thursday that the existing bridge is deteriorating so fast that its steel deck must be replaced by early next year at a cost of up to $6 million.
