There’s good news for one group of commuters between Arlington and D.C., and bad news for another.
The southbound GW Parkway ramp onto the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge is expected to close for repairs beginning today (Friday) and continuing through mid-August, according to the District Department of Transportation. At the same time, weather permitting, the eastbound ramp onto the bridge from Arlington Blvd will be reopening for the first time since February.
Motorists trying to cross the heavily trafficked bridge via southbound GW Parkway will now be rerouted to Arlington Memorial Bridge. They may also seek alternate routes into D.C. via the Key Bridge, or take another route onto Theodore Roosevelt Bridge.
For some motorists, the closure of a major entry point into D.C. has caused delays around rush hour for the past several months.
Since February, vehicles seeking to enter the District via Arlington Blvd have likewise been rerouted down to Memorial Bridge. The bridge is relatively clear for most of the day, but during rush hour, a backup of vehicles in the rightmost lane often spans the entire length of the bridge and can lead to hazardous conditions.
The traffic changes support structural repairs to replace the bridge deck on the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge, extending the structure’s life by about 20 to 30 years. The project will also widen the north sidewalk, upgrade the traffic barrier and replace all existing signage.
The bridge opened in 1964 and carries about 95,000 vehicles per day, representing 25% of D.C. traffic across the Potomac River.
