A Winning Design for the New Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge

The Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge is the only Potomac River crossing in the southern half of the Washington Metropolitan area. It carries the Capital Beltway (I-495), which is a part of I-95, the main north-south interstate route on the East Coast. The current bridge is a six-lane structure with a bascule span that accommodates shipping to Alexandria, Virginia and the District of Columbia. Built in the early 1950's for a daily volume of 75,000 vehicles, it is rapidly deteriorating under the present daily traffic volume of 175,000 vehicles. Replacement of the structure is estimated to be necessary by 2004, or weight restrictions may have to be imposed. The new structure will be a part of the monumental core of the Washington Metropolitan area. Approximately 6,000 feet long, the new bridge will be substantially wider than the existing bridge to accommodate the traffic growth. This project has raised many concerns on the part of community groups and agencies regarding visual and urban design effects on the historical, architectural and community resources.