(Washington, DC) In early January, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will close one of the seven traffic lanes on the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge over the Potomac River for the year-long repair of the riding surface. The lane closure will prevent operation of the moveable barrier; therefore, the number of rush-hour lanes will be reduced from four to three. There will also be periodic additional lane closures during non-rush hours.
Drivers are being notified with message boards and announcements on drive-oriented radio. Use of Metro and other mass transit and car-pooling is strongly encouraged. Traffic management is being coordinated with the Metropolitan Police Department, the US Park Police, the National Park Service, Arlington County and the Virginia Department of Transportation and includes changing the timing of traffic lights and the posting of DDOT Roadway Operations Patrol vehicles on the bridge. Alternative Potomac River crossings include the Key, Memorial, 14th Street and Chain Bridges. As part of the project, DDOT is installing a new traffic camera, available at DDOT and Trafficland.
Built in 1960, the bridge carries 100,000 vehicles every weekday. This heavy use as well as damage due to salt and other chemicals used during winter weather has badly deteriorated the concrete deck, requiring steel plates to cover a number of holes in the riding surface.
The $6 million contract is with Martin Construction.
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