Iconic New Bridge Project Revealed in D.C.

The new Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge will span the Anacostia River between Washington, D.C. and Anacostia.

1 minute read

August 11, 2017, 2:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Anacostia Bridge

District Department of Transportation / The New Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge Project

Luz Lazo reports:

The District is set to begin its largest construction project in history: replacing the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge, which opened in 1950 over the Anacostia River and is one of its busiest commuter gateways, carrying 70,000 vehicles across each day.

D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser revealed the new design [pdf] at an event on Thursday, but city officials on both sides of the river are hoping the bridge spurs economic development.

Lazo provides additional details on the new bridge:

The new, wider bridge will be built parallel to the old one, near Nationals Park. Traffic ovals will be constructed at each end of the bridge, and sections of South Capitol Street will be re-created as a scenic boulevard. The project includes the reconstruction of the interchange with the Suitland Parkway and Interstate 295.

The bridge is scheduled to open in 2021.

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