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Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge

• Lat / Lon: N 38° 47.558' / W 077° 02.249'
• Bridge Type: Bascule
• Vertical Clearance (Closed): 76.00 ft.
• Horizontal Clearance: 175.00 ft.
• Schedule:

  (a) The draw of the Woodrow Wilson Memorial (I-95) bridge, mile 103.8, between Alexandria, Virginia, and Oxon Hill, Maryland - (1) Shall open on signal at any time only for a vessel in distress, notwithstanding the provisions of §117.31. (2) Shall open for the passage of a commercial vessel at any time except: (i) From Monday through Friday (except Federal holidays), 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ii) Saturday, Sunday, and Federal holidays, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. (3) Need not open for the passage of a commercial vessel under paragraph (a)(2) of this section unless - (i) The owner or operator of the vessel provides the bridge tender with an estimate of the approximate time of that passage at least 12 hours in advance at (703) 836-2396; and (ii) the owner or operator of the vessel notifies the bridge tender at least 4 hours in advance of the requested time for that passage. (4) Shall open for the passage of a recreational vessel at any time except: (i) Monday through Friday (except Federal holidays), 5 a.m. to 12 midnight; (ii) Saturday, Sunday, and Federal holidays, 7 a.m. to 12 midnight, except as provided in paragraph (a)(4)(iii) of this section; (iii) Notwithstanding paragraph (a)(4)(ii) of this section, the bridge may open beginning at 10 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday, or a Federal holiday for the passage of a recreational vessel if the owner or operator of the vessel notifies the Bridge Tender of the time of that passage by not later than 12 hours before that time. (5) Need not open for the passage of a recreational vessel under paragraph (a)(4) of this section unless - (i) The owner or operator of the vessel provides the bridge tender with an estimate of the approximate time of that passage at least 12 hours in advance at (703) 836-2396; and (ii) the owner or operator of the vessel notifies the bridge tender at least 4 hours in advance of the requested time for that passage. (6) A recreational vessel may pass through the drawspan at any time it is open for the passage of a commercial vessel. (b) The draws of all other bridges need not be opened for the passage of vessels. (c) This section is also issued under the authority of Pub. L. 102-587, 106 Stat. 5039.
  Editor's Note: Bridge schedules are subject to temporary change due to repairs, maintenance, events, etc. Check the Waterway Explorer for possible nav alerts.

• VHF Channel: 13
• Phone: 5713296424

4 Boater Comments

These are observations from the boating community. Waterway Guide information is verified regularly and all efforts will be made to validate any new updates submitted here. Thank you for taking the time to share comments about your experience.

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• Comment by: Richard on Sep 9, 2023
  Vessel Type: Sail
  LOA: 45'
  Draft: 5.0'

  Passed at high tide with 74' on the boards. Tried for hours to reach the bridge but it is unmanned except for scheduled openings. Finally found a number on an older Waterway Guide posting that took me to the tender. Very nice and helpful. Reported 75' at high tide. New numbers are as follows: 571-329-6424 And (571) 513-3745. Call at least 12 hrs in advance to request an opening. Good luck.

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• Comment by: Bill Kenney on Oct 9, 2022
  Vessel Type: Sail
  LOA: 43'
  Draft: 3.5'

  We came through yesterday with no problem. Our height is 68' off the water. We were immediately followed by a boat that need 78' of vertical clearance. They made it fine too.

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• Comment by: Scott Berg on Jul 30, 2021
  Vessel Type: Sail
  LOA: 60'
  Draft: 7.0'

  The bridge is marked at the lowest point (the steel girders on the edges and as noted by the editor above, this is at MHW. The center span is over 80' at MHHW and boats with masts to 80' can transit safely at all but the highest tides. We clear with 78.

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• Comment by: Laura Dzierzynski on Jul 14, 2021
  Vessel Type: Sail
  LOA: 48'
  Draft: 6.0'

  We have a 75' air draft. We have attempted to contact the bridge on VHF 13 and by calling the number provided several times. No response. It is unclear whether the clearance is 76 at low tide only or if the middle of the bridge is cleared at 83 feet. The info provided is confusing and incomplete.

  • WG Editor Comment:
    

    Bridge vertical clearances are at MHW.

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