A heavily-used bridge between Arlington and Alexandria will close in early May due to deteriorating conditions.
The closure of the bridge will continue through early 2023, forcing commuters and area residents to use Mount Vernon Avenue or cut through residential streets in Arlandria and Shirlington to cross Four Mile Run.
The City of Alexandria released a statement Tuesday noting the bridge will close on May 9 "due to continued degradation of the bridge beams. Construction of a planned replacement superstructure (road deck and beams) will proceed next month. The bridge’s original piers, which are stable, will be used to support the new superstructure, reducing project costs, construction time and impact on the watershed. Two motor vehicle lanes on the renovated bridge are expected to reopen in early 2023, along with one of two widened sidewalks."
The bridge was originally built in the 1950s. Arlington County officials put a 5-ton weight limit on the bridge in 2018 in an effort to prolong its life.
Pedestrians and bicyclists will still be able to use the bridge during reconstruction.
