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Visiting Washington D.C. Bridges

By Gary Mullen


Whether or not you are an architectural fan or merely enjoy heavy historical structures, visitors won't want to miss the many amazing bridges in Wasington D.C.. Featuring engaging stories that tell the history of the country, Washington D.C. Bridges tell stories all of their own.

Arlington Memorial Bridge

Regularly said to be one of the prettiest bridges in Washington D.C, the Arlington Memorial Bridge is filled with symbolism. Connecting the Northern area with the South, Arlington Memorial Bridge crosses over the famous Potomac River, linking the Lincoln Memorial to Columbia Island. Saturated in art and detail, the Arlington Memorial Bridge is also known for famous sculptures such as "The Arts of War", which were sculpted by Leo Friedlander. Along the pylons on each pier, you can also enjoy the work of sculptor Carl Paul Jennewein, which are large circulars discs completed with eagles and faces.

Francis Scott Key Bridge

Finished in 1923, the Francis Scott Key Bridge was built by the Army Corps of Engineers. This bridge provides simple commuting between Washington D.C., Arlington County and Virginia. The FSK Bridge is the oldest bridge that crosses over the Potomac River. Architects and designers Nathan Wyeth and Max Tyler used a classical revival arch design when drafting the plans for this bridge.

John Philip Sousa Bridge

Named after John Philip Sousa, the famous composer of many patriotic American marches, the John Philip Sousa Bridge carries Pennsylvania Avenue over the Anacostia River. The John Philip Sousa bridge was opened in 1940 using the same masonry piers that were utilised for the previous bridge that stood in its place.

Chain Bridge

Carrying nearly 22,000 vehicles a day the Chain Bridge crosses over the Potomac River in Little Falls area of Washington, D.C. This girder designed bridge was constructed in 1939 from steel. The Chain Bridge marks the site where the Union Army gained their access to the countryside encampments within Fairfax County. The bridge features a big crossbeam structure which closely resembles a pergola or long garden arbor. The existing bridge is the second structure to stand in place as the first Chain Bridge was originally opened in 1793. Chain linked trusses were added in 1810 to the initial bridge structure, giving the structure its popular name. All together there have been a sum total of almost ten different version of this bridge in the location on which it now sits.

14th Street Bridge

Consisting of 5 bridges that all cross over the Potomac River, the 14th Street Bridge connects Virginia, DC and Arlington. This structure carries many alternative names composed from , Arland D. Williams Jr. Memorial Bridge, the Long Bridge, Charles R. Fenwick Bridge, Rochambeau Bridge and the George Mason Memorial Bridge. Of all the Washington D.C. Bridges, the Chain Bridge carries the most sad tales. This bridge is the site where the Air Florida Flight 90 airplane crash took place on in January of 1982. Today repairs continue to be finished on this bridge to mend damage caused during that airplane crash.




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