Washington, D.C.: 14th Street Bridge Rehabilitation

Hero’s Bridge to Get Heroic Makeover

Challenge: For native Washingtonians, the Arland D. Williams, Jr. Memorial Bridge – better known as the 14th Street Bridge – is an indispensable part of local lore. On a cold January day in 1982, a plane carrying 74 passengers and five crew members crashed into the bridge as it took off from Reagan National Airport before sinking into the freezing Potomac River. Four passengers and a crew member survived. Another passenger, Arland D. Williams, Jr., helped in rescuing survivors but drowned before he could be rescued. The bridge was later re-named in his honor. Since that tragedy 42 years ago and its later repair, the 14th Street Bridge has only grown in importance to the region’s economy and livelihood. Today, it is a primary conduit for commuters and tourists. An estimated 88,400 vehicles cross it daily, and the wear-and-tear is showing.

Solution: Rehabilitation of this bridge is a high priority for Washington, D.C.’s District Department of Transportation (DDOT). Deteriorating components and ongoing maintenance efforts have generated safety concerns requiring a long-term solution. Under a $72 million Bridge Investment Program (BIP) Grant and additional $18 million from DDOT, the agency is planning a series of fixes, including:

• Repairing concrete and steel, including repairing joints and bearings;
• Replacing the deteriorating bascule span with a fixed span;
• Replacing structurally deficient steel barriers with MASH crash-tested barriers; and
• A new fender system to better protect against river traffic.

What they’re saying: “We know that more than 630,000 jobs are located within three miles of either side of this bridge, and 88,000 commuters use it daily, so bringing it to good repair is incredibly important for our region.” – District Department of Transportation Director Everett Lott (The DCist, 04/13/2023)