The new Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge in Washington D.C. will reportedly open a month ahead of schedule in early September 2021.
According to a report from DCist, district officials will hold a Labor Day celebration to open the bridge that will include a community 5k run.
According to the project's website, the old bridge—which spans across the Anacostia River and carried 77,000 vehicles per day—was years past its useful life.
The design of the new bridge—which is located 20 ft away from the original one—includes three above-deck arches, four pedestrian overlooks, and two piers that will seem to float in the Anacostia waterfront. When it opens, the new bridge will have six traffic lanes and improved accommodations for pedestrians and bicycles.
The work has included replacing the 70-year-old bridge and reconstruction of the Suitland Parkway/I-295 interchange. The improvements include making the structure safer for cars and pedestrians, enhancing options for multimodal transportation, increasing access for the community, and supporting economic development on both sides of the river.
The project is expected to be completed in spring 2022.
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SOURCE: DCist | District DOT
