New Pattern on GW Parkway Bridge
Reconstruction of the George Washington Parkway's Humpback Bridge is entering a new phase that probably will have more of an impact on drivers.
Humpback Bridge area on GW Parkway. (Federal Highway Administration)On the southbound side of the parkway, both lanes are shifting to the left just before the bridge. This is likely to cause traffic congestion, even during the peak periods, when all the lanes are open.
At this early stage of the project, which began last month, the construction work includes installation of two cranes on each side of the Boundary Channel along the southbound parkway and removal of a power line from under the bridge. A temporary power line will be installed across the channel, and boats still can pass under the bridge. The Mount Vernon Trail stays open for walkers and bikers throughout the project.
The Humpback Bridge, just northwest of the 14th Street Bridge and I-395, is being rebuilt by the National Park Service and the Federal Highway Administration to improve traffic flow and make it safer for motorists, walkers and bicyclists.
All the parkway lanes across the bridge are open during the rush periods of 5:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. At other times, you may find lanes closed, but at least one lane will be open in each direction. Watch for the electronic message boards and construction signs, which will have the most current information as you approach the bridge, but you can also check www.humpbackbridge.dot.gov.
Rebuilding the bridge while keeping it open to traffic means the project will take until the spring of 2010 to complete. How is it going for you so far on this busy route? Has anyone tried a detour, or are the delays not yet significant enough to require alternative routes?
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February 5, 2008; 10:20 AM ET
Construction
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Posted by: Woodley Park | February 5, 2008 12:03 PM
I don't generally use that road, but I do go over the 14th Street Bridge in the evenings. I normally use the express lane bridge and this construction makes me all the more likely to do that. I've noticed a few times lately the traffic on the Case Bridge seems to be backed up more than in the past (moving even more slowly than usual, that is) and I wondered if this construction might be the cause.
Like Woodley Park, the only time I've gone over the Humpback Bridge lately was a non-peak hour, a Saturday afternoon to be precise, and there was no delay at all. I slowed down in recognition that I didn't know where the lane shifts might go, but most other drivers didn't. That could become a problem as the project progresses, but I don't know that there's much anyone can do about that.
Posted by: Rich | February 5, 2008 12:53 PM
Why does every road construction project, no matter how big or small, take three years to complete?
Posted by: Sivad | February 6, 2008 11:52 AM
"Why does every road construction project, no matter how big or small, take three years to complete?"
Well, you can have the project built properly, you can have the project built cheaply, you can have the project build quickly....but you can only pick 2 of the 3. Please state your preferences. Here, this might help: FHWA says it has to be built properly, and fiscal realities usually force you to build it as inexpensively as possible. What does that leave us left to eliminate? Yup, quickly gets eliminated.
Posted by: Woodley Park | February 6, 2008 12:20 PM
Big projects take decades. That's why Metro will never be fixed.
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I was through there once in the middle of the day and the southbound delay was about 5 minutes. Not even worth the effort of detouring in my opinion. Northbound was a bit more of a mess since the backup extended onto the 14th Street Bridge. But still not too terribly bad.