Lanes Set to Reopen on Connecticut Avenue Bridge - Traffic Advisories

Media Contacts: Erik Linden @ DDOT, 202-671-2004 or Karyn LeBlanc @ DDOT, 202-671-3490

(Washington, DC) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is pleased to announce that all traffic lanes will reopen in time for this evening’s rush hour on the historic Connecticut Avenue Bridge over Klingle Valley in Northwest, where DDOT has been performing major rehabilitation work since September 2006. DDOT today removed overhanging lane-change markers put in place to help route traffic during roadway construction.

The bridge sits on Connecticut Avenue between Macomb Street and Devonshire Place, NW. Work involved placement of a new bridge deck, repairs to the approach roadways and repair and replacement of structural steel. Remaining work includes sidewalk work on the bridge and other minor work that will not involve lane closures during rush hour. Motorists can expect alternating off-peak lane closures.

Cleveland Park residents can also expect less noise disruption in the bridge area now that major road work is complete. DDOT thanks residents for their patience during major work and remaining work to this historic bridge.

Background: The $9 million restoration of the Connecticut Avenue Bridge, which is proceeding on schedule, uses a combination of federal and local funds. The initial stages of the rehabilitation included work on the under-belly of the bridge, work on the west side sidewalks of the bridge and repairs to the road surface.

Work on the bridge includes removal of old lead-based paint, cleaning the bridge girders, repairing/replacing components of the under girding and bridge surface and rehabilitation to the sidewalks and road surface.

Weather permitting the project is slated to be completed in April 2008. DDOT will continue to update the public on the progress of the project. Hours of work are Monday through Saturday from 7 am to 7 pm.

DDOT reminds motorists to use extreme caution when passing through the work zone.

The average daily traffic count on the bridge is 45,000 vehicles, northbound and southbound combined.