Interstate 95 is a major east coast highway crossing the Potomac River near Washington, DC. The new Woodrow Wilson Bridge is nearing completion of a ten-year project to replace a bridge built in 1961. The old bridge was built to carry 75,000 vehicles a day and was carrying nearly 200,00 per day. It had become one of the worst traffic bottlenecks in the US, carrying both long haul travelers and local commuters across the Potomac. The new bridge, like the old one, is a drawbridge, but has a higher clearance (70 feet) reducing the number of openings. The new bridge is a twin span in essentially the same location as the old bridge. One span opened in 2006 and all traffic was switched to it. The old bridge was demolished and the second span is essentially complete. Four major interchanges near the bridge are being rebuilt as part of the bridge project. All photos were taken from the Virginia side of the Potomac.
Looking up between the spans from below the Virginia end of the bridge.
10 comments:
Some interesting perspective in those shots. That sounds exactly like what we plan to do to replace our I-5 bridge here. The traffic going to and coming from Portland is horrendous. It is an old bridge that opens for tall ships . . . think the new plans are to make it so it doesn't have to be opened and further delay motorists. It could be 5 years before they get started. Lots of planning needed for what buildings to demolish to make the entrances for many lanes and big money involved.
I have a different kind of bridge -- come and see.
When moving into the the inner part of the bridge and get close ups like this, the real beauty can be seen.
Thanks for sharing
You do make them big! But the the traffic problems are larger too.
I liked the construction - there must have been some real architects at work here. The last two pictures were real beauties.
Very interesting shots,and great constructions.Have a nic day.
It looks very sculptural, especially the last shot which is fascinating.
Whow what an architecture!
The vast majority of the Wilson Bridge was the result of the efforts of engineers, not architects.
A hugh amount of skilled labor went into the Wilson Bridge. Engineers, steel erectors, crane operators, concrete pourers and so forth.
Great architecture!
Wonderful bridge!
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