A web splicing apparatus is disclosed that includes a web unwinding unit configured to hold a running web material roll and a new web material roll and to unwind webbing from the running web material roll and a web splicing unit operable with the web unwinding unit to selectively splice the webbing of the running web material roll with webbing of the new web material roll. The web splicing unit further includes a cutting assembly configured to selectively sever the webbing of the running web material roll, a web deflection device, an actuator system configured to linearly translate the web deflection device in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction, and a locking mechanism operable in a locked state and an unlocked state to selectively prohibit and enable movement of the web deflection device in the first direction and the second direction.