New Bridge Overview 2007 Bridge Makeover News Items
As part of the plans to revitalize South Capitol Street from its intersection with I-395 south to Firth Sterling Avenue in Anacostia, the city will be building a new Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge, situated slightly to the southwest of the existing Douglass Bridge's location (see below). In January 2009, city documents indicated that an "arched bascule design" (left) had been chosen for the new Douglass Bridge, with an opening span to allow for passage of larger vessels. The 2008 Draft EIS puts the cost of this design at approximately $270 million.
This new bridge will intersect with the western side of the Anacostia River via a traffic oval (seen at right), where South Capitol Street, R Street, Potomac Avenue, and the new bridge would come together. The rotary would be big enough to include a park ("South Capitol Commons") in its interior. The plans would also include more public space between the south and east sides of the rotary and the river. (See the EIS for details on the bridge's east-of-the-river approach.)
Construction is not expected to start before 2011.
In summer 2007, the northern approach to the existing Douglass Bridge was altered considerably with the demolition the 800 feet of bridge that ran from O Street to Potomac Avenue, and the lowering of an additional 580 feet of the bridge so that it reacheed street level at Potomac Avenue.
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The current Frederick Douglass Bridge, in August 2005. (08/05)
An overhead view of the revamped Douglass Bridge ramp and intersection at Potomac Avenue, as seen from Nationals Park, in May 2008. In the new design of this intersection, the traffic oval's northeast edge will meet with the ballpark's promenade entrance at far right. The new bridge itself will be "behind" (to the southwest) of the ramp seen here. The industrial area at left is the Florida Rock/RiverFront project, which will eventually also occupy the land where the current bridge arrives on the western shore. (5/26/08) |
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Looking northward on South Capitol Street at R Street/Water Street, in October 2005, before the demolition of the viaduct north of Potomac Avenue. This location would be the southern tip of the traffic oval in the new configuration, with the new bridge meeting the oval just to the right of this spot. (10/05)
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Looking to the southeast at Water and South Capitol, where the new bridge would arrive from across the Anacostia. (10/05)
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Someday there will be miles of waterfront amenities along the Anacostia; right now, not so much. (This is at South Capitol, north of S Street, right where the new bridge will arrive on the north shore.) (10/05)
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South Capitol's terminus, at S Street. Plans call for parks or some sort of public use from this spot south to the river. (10/05)
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New Bridge Overview 2007 Bridge Makeover News Items
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Image showing a new South Capitol Street bridge and oval from NCPC's 
