- Environmental planning for Long Bridge Project completed, setting stage for eventual construction.
- Bicycle- and pedestrian-only bridge remains important part of project
In early September DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and Virginia Governor Ralph S. Northam announced that the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) have completed the environmental planning for the Long Bridge Project, which will add two new bridges spanning the Potomac River—a two-track structure adjacent to the existing bridge and a new bicycle and pedestrian only bridge.
The Long Bridge pedestrian and bicycle bridge will be the only independent bridge over the Potomac River solely dedicated to non-vehicular use. The bridge will cross the River and connect the Mount Vernon Trail, Crystal City, and the District. FABB joined with many other group to weigh in on the desirability of this bridge.
The completed Environmental Impact Study for Long Bridge, initiated by the District of Columbia in 2016, evolved to include the addition of the bicycle and pedestrian bridge, and an expansion of the track design from two to four tracks. The expanded Long Bridge will enable Virginia to double its state-supported Amtrak passenger rail service, nearly double Virginia Railway Express (VRE) commuter rail service by 2030, and make way for future Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) Service to Virginia.
