(Washington, DC) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is advising motorists that it plans to completely close the Chain Bridge on the weekend of March 12-15 for reconstruction work on the bridge deck, approaches and structural steel beams. This work was originally scheduled for late January and early February but was delayed by multiple snow storms and sub-freezing temperatures.

Weather permitting, Chain Bridge will be closed from 8 pm on Friday, March 12 until 5 am on Monday, March 15.

Impact on Traffic

• There will be no access to the bridge from either the District or Arlington. That includes cyclists and pedestrians because the sidewalk will also be closed.
• Thru traffic on Canal Road will not be obstructed, but motorists will not be able to turn onto Chain Bridge.
• Motorists are advised to use alternate routes and river crossings including the American Legion, Key, Roosevelt, Memorial and 14th Street Bridges.
• Variable Messages Boards will be in place to warn drivers of the work ahead and re-direct them to alternative routes.

Crews will be pouring new concrete and the bridge closures are necessary to give the concrete time to properly strengthen. Workers will also be replacing the expansion joints and streetlights on the bridge.

To complete the work, additional weekend closures may be necessary later this month.

The project began on June 1, 2009. It was originally anticipated that the work on the bridge deck would be completed in late January, but the schedule has been significantly impacted by the severe weather this winter.