D.C. Bridge Opening Avoids 'Apocalyptic Traffic Scenarios'

After about a decade of planning and litigation, and another six years of construction, the first part of the first of two spans to replace the old Woodrow Wilson Bridge between Prince George's County, Md. and Alexandria, Va. is open to traffic.

1 minute read

June 13, 2006, 6:00 AM PDT

By David Gest


"'There are no tie-ups, and traffic is moving across the bridge easily and efficiently,' said John Undeland, a spokesman for the project. 'The contractor deserves a tip of the hat.'"

"For those steeped in the 20-year history of the 7 1/2 -mile, $2.44 billion project to replace the decrepit old bridge -- connecting Prince George's County and Alexandria across the Potomac River -- it was a banner weekend."

"A good system of detours and alternate routes, Undeland said, helped ease congestion along the northbound Interstate 95-Capital Beltway approach to the bridge, which was shut down while workers finished paving the new span. He also speculated that area drivers probably deserved some credit for heeding the call to avoid the area."

Thanks to C. P. Zilliacus

Monday, June 12, 2006 in The Washington Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Bend, Oregon

Bend, Oregon Zoning Reforms Prioritize Small-Scale Housing

The city altered its zoning code to allow multi-family housing and eliminated parking mandates citywide.

2 hours ago - Strong Towns

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

3 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

Green Skid Row mural satirizing city limit sign in downtown Los Angeles, California.

LA Denies Basic Services to Unhoused Residents

The city has repeatedly failed to respond to requests for trash pickup at encampment sites, and eliminated a program that provided mobile showers and toilets.

4 hours ago - Los Angeles Public Press