Media Contact:  John Lisle at (202) 671-2004

(Washington, DC)  The District of Columbia Department of Transportation (DDOT) is scheduled to close the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge (aka South Capital Street Bridge) from 5 am to approximately 10 am on Sunday, May 17, 2009.

During normal opening and closing operations, the swing span is lowered and then turned or “swung” around in order to allow water traffic to pass. Crews test the swing span each month to ensure it operates properly and make any necessary repairs.

The bridge will be reopened to traffic as soon as the test opening and related repairs are completed.  In most cases the work is completed long before 10 am.