USA Banner

Official US Government Icon

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Site Icon

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Arlington Memorial Bridge Rehabilitation

Project Description

The Arlington Memorial Bridge is a historic structure listed in the National Register of Historic Places for its significant architectural and engineering design as well as its symbolism and place within the Memorial Core of Washington, DC. The bridge, opened to traffic in 1932, was constructed as a memorial to American patriotism and those who have died in military service to the country, as well as a symbolic representation of the reconciliation between the Union and Confederacy following the Civil War by connecting the Lincoln Memorial with Arlington House, the Robert E. Lee Memorial. The bridge was designed by the famed architectural firm, McKim, Mead & White, and the innovative bascule span was developed by the Strauss Engineering Corporation to fit a working draw span into the monumental design. The bascule span was last opened over 50 years ago, and it is not anticipated to be reopened in the future. The mechanical equipment and original electrical system is are not operational. Modern electrical lines have been installed and are operational.

The Arlington Memorial Bridge is 2,162 feet long and 94 feet wide. The bridge consists of ten reinforced concrete arch approach spans and a double leaf bascule span at the bridge s center. Eight of the ten approach spans convey the Potomac River under the bridge. Two smaller concrete arches span the George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP) and Ohio Drive, SW at each end of the bridge. The bridge has sidewalks on each side measuring 13 feet 9 inches each, and the roadway measures 60 feet from curb to curb, providing six 10-foot-wide vehicle travel lanes.

This project includes the design and construction for the rehabilitation of the concrete approach spans, removal and replacement of the concrete deck, replacement of the bascule span at the center of the bridge, concrete repairs to the existing structure, rehabilitation of the bridge substructure, removal and resetting granite curb and railing, repairing and cleaning the bridge s stone masonry and other miscellaneous work.

Anticipated Timeline

Design/Construction Schedule

This Design-Build project was awarded to Kiewit Infrastructure Co. on November 30, 2017. Design and minor repairs began in early 2018 and major construction began October 15, 2018. The project is expected to be completed in 2021. 

For information specific to travelers visit: https://www.nps.gov/gwmp/learn/management/amb-rehabilitation.htm or https://www.nps.gov/gwmp/learn/management/drivers.htm


For more information visit https://go.nps.gov/memorialbridge

Project Photos