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Long Bridge Project
August 2026 Monthly Construction Update
| | Thank you for signing up for the Long Bridge Project updates. This monthly construction update is intended to keep you informed on upcoming construction activities, travel impacts, and progress. | | |
As crews pick up speed on construction across the Long Bridge project work sites, this month we are highlighting the major efforts underway! Continue reading to learn about construction updates and current traffic impacts within each of the active Long Bridge work zones.
Visit the VPRA Construction Disruptions Map to view all travel impacts.
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Maine Avenue
Crews continue preparing Maine Avenue SW for a long-term traffic shift by completing roadway improvements, installing temporary barriers, and performing overnight work as needed. The northbound 14th Street ramp to eastbound Maine Avenue SW remains closed through early 2028.
Along Maine Avenue SW, changes to travel lanes allow crews to complete foundation work in stages for the future rail bridge. Also in this area, near 1331 Maryland Avenue SW, existing rail corridor improvements continue, including retaining wall construction, rail bed expansion activities, and micropile drilling operations.
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A new, long-term traffic configuration will be implemented soon on Maine Avenue SW between Ohio Drive SW and Potomac Hotel (formerly the Salamander Hotel). This long-term traffic pattern is expected to remain in place through Winter 2028 while crews construct the foundations for the future rail bridge.
Work on the rail bridge abutment and pier construction on Maine Avenue SW will begin once the traffic is shifted. Updates on timing will be shared on our website and issued in a DDOT Traffic Advisory.
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D Street SW between 12th Street SW and L’Enfant Plaza SW
Temporary daytime lane closures for westbound travel and a pedestrian detour on D Street SW near L'Enfant Plaza, between the 9th Street Expressway overpass and 12th Street SW will occur through Friday, August 21, weather permitting. Crews will be installing underground communications infrastructure.
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Washington Channel
Completion of the trestle across the Washington Channel is expected this month! In July, the trestle reached the northern bank of the Channel, allowing construction to begin on expanding the deck towards the existing Washington Channel rail bridge.
Crews will continue installing foundation piles, working on the upper portion of the structure and decking, and marine construction activities. Once complete, the trestle will be used to construct the new rail bridge.
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East Potomac Park
Continuation of intermittent daytime single-lane closures on Ohio Drive SW, between the Metro Yellow Line Bridge and the existing railroad bridge, with flaggers in place through August 31, 2026.
Work continues at NPS Parking Lot C related to the bridge abutment (base of the bridge), support of excavation (SOE), and production piles. Parking Lot C is on Ohio Drive, adjacent to the Potomac River.
This month, crews will begin installation of drilled shaft steel casing pipe for construction of Wall G between I-395 and Ohio Dr. SW, adjacent to the Washington Channel.
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I-395
Crews are installing temporary barriers, completing roadway modifications, and performing overnight and periodic daytime lane closures as needed on southbound I-395. These activities will support the upcoming traffic shift while maintaining travel along I-395.
Work within the I-395 corridor is picking up, in order to begin construction of the new rail bridge over the corridor. This rendering shows what the future rail bridge will look like at the end of construction. Later in August, a new long-term traffic configuration will be implemented on southbound I-395 to support construction efforts. During implementation, motorists can expect overnight lane closures and limited daytime lane closures.
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Potomac River
Marine construction activities will continue in the Potomac River, including installation of temporary structures, in-water work, and use of barges and equipment to support construction of the future rail bridge. Navigational aids and work zone protections will remain in place to support safe passage for river users.
To learn more about the impact to boaters, view the August Notice to Mariners.
Along the Potomac River shoreline in Virginia, work continues on the future bridge abutment (base of the bridge). Activities include excavation, support of excavation work, foundation preparation, and construction access activities to support future bridge construction.
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George Washington Memorial Parkway
Intermittent daytime single lane closures on southbound George Washington Memorial Parkway continue through October 2026.
These closures are necessary to allow for the safe delivery of materials and equipment to the project work zone.
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Gravelly Point
The Mount Vernon Trail detour through Gravelly Point remains in place through 2030 to provide safe access around the active construction zone.
Trail users should follow posted signage, reduce speeds, and use caution when traveling through the area.
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Arlington Aquatics & Fitness Center
Access to the full pedestrian path around the Aquatics Center has been restored as of late July. Thank you for your patience while our work impacted this path!
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Thank You for Staying Informed!
Have any questions or comments? Share them with our project team. Make sure to also follow us on social media for updates throughout the month.
Email: info@longbridgeproject.com
Phone: (202) 769-1808
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Project Description
The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority’s Long Bridge Project is a 1.8-mile rail improvement that will relieve one of the biggest rail bottlenecks on the East Coast. The project will improve reliability and expand capacity for both passenger and freight trains traveling between Virginia and Washington, DC.
The project will create a continuous four-track corridor between the Long Bridge Aquatic Center in Arlington and L’Enfant Plaza in DC. It includes five new rail bridges and two new pedestrian/ bicycle bridges. A new two-track rail bridge will be built over the Potomac River next to the existing two-track Long Bridge, along with a new bike and pedestrian bridge connecting Long Bridge Park and the Mount Vernon Trail in Arlington to East Potomac Park in DC.
The Long Bridge Project is one of the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority’s many rail projects across the Commonwealth. Learn more at: www.vapassengerrailauthority.org.
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