Long Bridge Study Underway

DDOT (with cooperation with the Federal Railroad Administration) is conducting a study of the Long Bridge, a two-track railroad bridge that crosses the Potomac River and carries Amtrak, VRE, and CSX trains.  According to the project website, the purpose of this project is to complete a comprehensive study of the Long Bridge to include identification of short-term needs and long-term capacity improvements, identify and analyze alternatives that meet the short-term and long-term multi-modal needs, and identify, collect, and evaluate data in support of the recommended improvements. Multi-modal needs includes analyzing future operating requirements of high-speed and intercity passenger rail, commuter rail, transit, bike and pedestrian, and freight services.

There will be a public meeting today from 4pm - 6pm at Westminster Church. The purpose of the meeting is to introduce the project to the public and receive feedback and input on access and mobility needs.  Comments can be provided at the meeting, mailed or submitted electronically to info@longbridgeproject.com. There will be more meetings before the plan is finalized in the summer of 2013.

9th Street Bridge Reopens

As of this morning, traffic can now pass over the 9th Street Bridge from the 9th Street Tunnel about a year after the span was closed by DDOT for a major overhaul. Back in November of 2008, DDOT stated the following would be done to the bridge:

The project will make the bridge safer and more aesthetically pleasing. The concrete bridge deck on the 9th Street Bridge will be replaced, including a new walkway and staircase to Frontage Road at L’Enfant Plaza. The work will also include the replacement of the bridge bearings…new roadway lighting, milling and resurfacing of the approach pavement and re-painting the exterior girders on the bridges. DDOT will also repair the roof slab of a DC Water and Sewer Authority (WASA) pumping station that is beneath 9th Street.

I’m sure Southwesters will be happy that one of the major entryways to the neighborhood has reopened, and our cars will be happy that the road surface is no longer so bumpy! Above is a photo of the recently reopened bridge. The sidewalk on the bridge is still closed to pedestrians.

Update: The ramp off the 9th Street Tunnel towards northbound I-395 is closed.

Road Closures, Pizza Autentica About to Open

- On Saturday, via a traffic advisory from DDOT, the following roads will be closed for parts of the day for the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure.

This event is scheduled to begin at 7:50 a.m. and conclude at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2009. The race will form on the National Mall and will then proceed over the following route:

• North on 4th Street to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

  West on Pennsylvania Avenue to Constitution Avenue, NW

  West on Constitution Avenue to Virginia Avenue, NW

  Northwest on Virginia Avenue to 18th Street, NW

  North on 18th Street to C Street, NW

  West on C Street to 19th Street, NW

  South on 19th Street to Constitution Avenue, NW

  East on Constitution Avenue to 15th Street, NW

  South on 15th Street to Jefferson Drive, SW

  East on Jefferson Drive to 7th Street, SW

  South on 7th Street to Independence Avenue, SW

  East on Independence Avenue, SW to Maryland Avenue where the runners will cross the finish line

There will be temporary road closures along the race route until all of the participants have cleared the area. In addition, the following streets will be closed:

• 3rd Street between independence Avenue, SW and Constitution Avenue, NW, from 6:30 a.m. to approximately 2 p.m.
• 4th Street between independence Avenue, SW and Constitution Avenue, NW, from 6:30 a.m. to approximately 2 p.m.
• Independence Avenue, SW between 3rd and 7th Streets, from 5 a.m. to approximately 5 p.m.

- On Sunday, also via a traffic advisory from DDOT, the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge will be closed from 4AM to 9AM (an hour earlier than normal) for the monthly testing of the swing span.

- I noticed today that Pizza Autentica is getting close to open at the Reporters Building, located at 300 7th Street. There were workers inside putting final touches on the new restaurant, which is scheduled to open either on Sunday or Monday. Noting the fact that the pizzeria could have its grand opening on Sunday, it's great news to find out that the restaurant will be open 7 days a week! Here are their hours of operation:

Monday - Friday: 7AM - 10PM

Saturday - Sunday: 11AM - 10PM

Not only will the restaurant be open 7 days a week, it will be open for dinner, so local residents will have a place to grab some food in the evening. The menu includes pizza, calzones, salads, paninis, and breakfast items.

Road Closures This Weekend; 14th Street Bridge Work Begins Wednesday

The annual Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Ride will roar through DC this holiday weekend and as a result, some roads will be closed on Sunday from 11:30 AM – 4 PM, including the following:

- Arlington Memorial Circle
- Memorial Bridge
- Lincoln Memorial Circle
- 23rd Street, NW from Constitution Avenue to Lincoln Memorial Circle
- Henry Bacon Drive from Constitution Avenue to Lincoln Memorial Circle
- Constitution Avenue, NW from the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge to 3rd Street, NW
- 3rd Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
- Independence Avenue from 3rd Street to 23rd Street, SW
- Ohio Drive, SW from Independence Avenue to the Inlet Bridge
- West Basin Drive, SW from Ohio Drive to Independence Avenue
- Jefferson Drive, SW
- Madison Drive, NW

On Monday, the Memorial Day Parade will cause additional roads to be closed from 12PM – 4 PM, including:

- Constitution Avenue from 7th Street to 23rd Street, NW.
- Jefferson Drive from 4th Street to 15th Street, SW
- Madison Drive from 4th Street to 15th Street, NW
- 15th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Constitution Avenue, NW
- 17th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Constitution Avenue, NW

Starting on Wednesday, DDOT will start work on the northbound lanes of the 14th Street Bridge, a year-long project that will allow the northbound deck to be resurfaced. Although there will be four lanes open during most of the construction, expect major delays, especially on the northbound morning commute. There may be lane closures during off-peak hours or weekends, and shoulders will be removed during the construction period. The southbound bridge will also be repaired, but there won’t be major impacts on traffic conditions. The HOV lanes won’t be affected, so carpooling is a good idea. For more information about the bridge rehab, check out DDOT’s project website.

Another Traffic Advisory

DDOT released a traffic advisory today about the closing of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge on Sunday morning for testing of the swing span.

Scenes from Southwest

Here's a photo of a couple of bicyclists riding along M Street near Tiber Island on a recent Saturday morning.

This next photo is of the Francis Case Memorial Bridge, which crosses over the Washington Channel. Wouldn't it be cool if as a part of the redevelopment of the Southwest Waterfront that the bridge was lit up at night like some of the causeway bridges in Miami?

Here's a peek at a part of the SW waterfront from Banneker Overlook. In the distance you can see East Potomac Park and way off in the distance is the masonic temple in Alexandria and the control tower at Reagan National Airport.