Contact (Media Only): Erik Linden (202) 671-2004

(Washington, DC) Michelle L. Pourciau, Director of the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), will join local and federal officials, residents and others for a ribbon cutting on the new Taylor Street Bridge in Northeast. The event marks the completion of the $10.8 million project replacing the existing bridge, which was a five-span structure originally constructed in 1939. The bridge was replaced with a two-span structure featuring mechanically stabilized earth-retaining walls along approach roadways. The major work consisted of the design and construction for the replacement of bridge over railroad tracks and Brookland Avenue, the construction of a retaining wall at Puerto Rico Avenue, and reconstruction of the approaching roadways.

Other key highlights of the rehabilitation:

• Provides 80+ years bridge life expectancy
• The new, modern bridge is aesthetically pleasing to the eye
• Significant improvement to adjacent community by replacing the failing retaining wall along Taylor Street
• Provides a creative bridge streetscape arrangement to accentuate the aesthetic value of the light poles, improving the lighting intensity on the roadway and sidewalks

Who		Michelle L. Pourciau, Director of the District Department of Transportation Representative, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) John Schlageter, Office of Community Relations, Catholic University Other Guests
What		Celebration of the Completion of Taylor Street Bridge
When		Tuesday, November 21, 2006, 10:30 am
Where		Hawaii Ave., NE, at Taylor Street (eastbound side) (On grass approaching the Taylor Street Bridge. Bridge runs on Taylor Street over Brookland Avenue.)