Arlington Memorial Bridge, closed daily from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. since Wednesday, Oct. 3, will close at 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 5, and remain closed all weekend, reopening at 5 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 8.
According to the National Park Service, which is managing the 86-year-old bridge’s rehabilitation — one of the largest transportation infrastructure projects in NPS history — these additional closures are needed to complete installing in-water equipment. “Sustained high, fast water in the Potomac River” slowed the work down.
Per a notification from the Park Service: “During this closure, we will move barges on the Potomac River and install pilings (long metal poles) through holes in the bridge deck. The pilings will anchor support systems for the bridge during the rehabilitation process.”
Another full-weekend closure is tentatively planned for next month. A limited number of additional full-weekend closures and occasional short nighttime closures are expected once the replacement of the bridge’s road deck begins later this fall.
The $227-million project is due for completion in early 2021. More information is available here.
A public meeting with a presentation by the NPS, the Federal Highway Administration and contractor representatives will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 9, at 6 p.m. at the Park Service’s National Capital Regional Headquarters in East Potomac Park, 1100 Ohio Drive SW. Signs from the parking lot will direct attendees to a trailer behind an office building. Parking is free.