FHWA 20-12
Contact: Doug Hecox
Tel: 202-366-0660

WASHINGTON - Deputy Federal Highway Administrator Greg Nadeau joined D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray today for the ribbon cutting of the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail Bridge. The ribbon cutting is the latest milestone on the $50 million network of trails, which received $33 million in federal funding.

When completed, the 20-mile Riverwalk Trail will connect pedestrians and bicyclists to a network of off-street routes running through 16 waterfront neighborhoods, including the Southwest Waterfront, Washington Nationals' baseball stadium, Poplar Point, the Navy Yard, historic Anacostia, RFK Stadium, Kingman Island and the National Arboretum.

"The Riverwalk Trail project has created good jobs for people in the Washington metropolitan area and, with today's ribbon cutting, will increase safety and livability for all residents," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "This is what President Obama meant when he called for an America that's built to last."

The trail will accommodate a wide range of users - from cyclists to runners, skaters and walkers - and will provide seating, bike racks and interactive maps. The trail will also connect to the National Mall at the Tidal Basin and to the Bladensburg Marina Park in Prince George's County, Md. The project will enhance local parklands, providing better access to waterfront destinations. It will also enhance wetlands, which will improve water quality by controlling erosion and preventing sediment from entering the river.

"By putting people back to work and improving access to some of the city's most scenic and historic areas," said Deputy Administrator Nadeau, "we are making a long-term investment in the Nation's capital and in the lives of its residents."

Construction of the bridge began in February 2009. It links two sections of the trail on the west side of the river. A second bridge, on the east side of the river, is scheduled to be finished this summer. The cost of the two bridges is $13.4 million, of which $11.7 million was federal funding.

The new bridge that opened today completed the Riverwalk Trail connections already open for use west of the river between Benning Road and South Capitol Street. The bridge scheduled to open this summer will similarly complete the connection of the trail open for use east of the river from South Capitol Street to Benning Road.

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