May Start for 2-Year, $21-Million Key Bridge Rehab

A two-year rehabilitation of Key Bridge is set to begin in May, the D.C. Department of Transportation announced. Corrosive deterioration of the underside of the concrete deck has prompted this round of repairs to the oldest existing bridge across the Potomac River.

Most of the work will occur under the bridge. Other improvements include: new streetlights, strengthened guardrails and painting. According to DDOT, drivers should expect non-rush hour, single-lane closures and pedestrians should expect temporary sidewalk closings. The federal government will pay 90 percent of the cost.

The arched structure is termed “structurally deficient” and has been the backdrop for two speeches by President Barack Obama on the nation’s deteriorating infrastructure. It is named for Georgetowner Francis Scott Key, who wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner” and whose home, now demolished, was on M Street.