Wilmington Rowing Center

Gentlemen: This comment is submitted on behalf of the Wilmington Rowing Center ("WRC") and its affiliated rowing organizations - WYRA & NRC. We all use the Christina River for rowing activities along with high school and college organizations that row out of our respective boathouses. We are not in opposition to the closing of said RR bridge @ mile 4.1 nor the open position of the unused RR bridge @ mile 4.2. But, we recommend strongly that the USCG compel N/S Railroad to perform maintanence on the bridge @ mile 4.2 or demolish/remove it completely as it is a peril to navagation in its current state of disrepair, The bridge and its superstucture and pilings are collapsing into the river; it is a safety hazard to both motorized boats and rowing shells in its current condition. The organizations above have had several instances of damage to our equipment due to piling failure along with channel blockage. Also at differing tides, the channels adjoining this bridge are clogged with bridge debris or cause hang up of debis flowing downstream to the Delaware River. The said bridge is a serious accident waiting to happen and we urge the USCG to intercede with N/S to evaluate this situation and take suitable action to allievate this dangerous situation. Thank you for your consideration and advocacy to solve this situation.