Contact (Media Only): Erik Linden (202) 671-2004 and Karyn LeBlanc (202) 671-3490

(Washington, DC) As previously announced by the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge will be closed to traffic for two months starting July 6 for a major renovation.

Travelers are advised to make alternate travel plans for getting in and out of the District of Columbia this summer, as the two-month closure of the Douglass Bridge (also known as the South Capitol Street Bridge) is set to begin July 6.

In the early morning hours of Friday, July 6, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will shut down all lanes in both directions on the Douglass Bridge to motorists and pedestrians (closure will be in effect for Friday morning’s commute). The bridge is scheduled to remain closed for two months—through July and August—to safely accommodate a major renovation or “extreme makeover” of the bridge.

During the closure of the Douglass Bridge, the 11th Street Bridges will serve as the main detour routes for motorists. Northbound drivers will follow signed detours to the I-295/11th Street Bridge providing direct access into the District. To increase capacity and help keep traffic flowing, DDOT recently paved an additional travel lane on part of this northbound detour route—the stretch of I-295 between Suitland Parkway and the 11th Street Bridge.

Southbound drivers will follow signed detours to the Southeast Freeway to the 11th Street Bridges. Due to added volume on the 11th Street Bridges, drivers should expect delays and plan accordingly. Traffic engineers estimate that morning commutes may take an additional 20 minutes and afternoon commutes could take between 20-30 additional minutes.