Whether visitors are an architectural fan or merely enjoy serious historic structures, travelers won't want to miss the many amazing bridges in Washington D.C. that here are to see. Featuring interesting mythos that tell the history of the country, Washington D.C. Bridges tell a tale all their own.
Arlington Memorial Bridge
Frequently said to be one of the prettiest bridges in Washington D.C, the Arlington Memorial Bridge is crammed with symbolism. Connecting the North area with the South, the Arlington Memorial Bridge crosses over the historical Potomac River, providing a connecting route for the Lincoln Memorial to Columbia Island. Saturated in art and detail, the Arlington Memorial Bridge displays famous sculptures such as "The Arts of War", which were made by Leo Friedlander. Along the pylons on each pier, you can also view the work of sculptor Carl Paul Jennewein, which are massive circulars discs completed with eagles and faces.
Francis Scott Key Bridge
Erected in 1923, the Francis Scott Key Bridge was constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers. This concrete built structure provides simple commuting between Arlington County, Virginia and Washington D.C. The FSK is the oldest bridge that crosses over the Potomac River. Designers Max Tyler and Nathan Wyeth used a classical revival arch design when making the plans for this bridge.
John Philip Sousa Bridge
Named after John Philip Sousa, the famous composer of many American marches, the John Philip Sousa Bridge carries Pennsylvania Avenue over the Anacostia River. This bridge was opened in 1940 employing the same masonry piers that were exploited for the previous bridge that stood in its place.
Chain Bridge
Carrying nearly 22,000 cars a day the Chain Bridge crosses over the Potomac River in Little Falls area of Washington, D.C. This girder designed bridge was assembled in 1939 from steel. The Chain Bridge marks the site where the Union Army gained their access to the countryside encampments inside Fairfax County. The bridge features a massive crossbeam structure which seems exactly like a pergola or long garden arbor. The existing bridge is the second structure to stand in place as the first Chain Bridge was first opened in 1793. Chain linked trusses were added in 1810 to the original bridge structure, giving the structure its popular name. All together there were a total of almost ten different version of this bridge in the location on which it now sits.
14th Street Bridge
Composed from five bridges that all cross over the Potomac River, the 14th Street Bridge connects Virginia, Arlington County and DC This structure carries many different names composed from , Arland D. Williams Jr. Memorial Bridge, Charles R. Fenwick Bridge, Rochambeau Bridge, the Long Bridge, and the George Mason Memorial Bridge. Of all the Washington D.C. Bridges, the Chain Bridge carries the most mournful tales. This bridge is the site where the Air Florida Flight 90 airplane crash took place on in 1982. Today repairs continue to be finished on this bridge to mend damage caused in that tragedy.
Arlington Memorial Bridge
Frequently said to be one of the prettiest bridges in Washington D.C, the Arlington Memorial Bridge is crammed with symbolism. Connecting the North area with the South, the Arlington Memorial Bridge crosses over the historical Potomac River, providing a connecting route for the Lincoln Memorial to Columbia Island. Saturated in art and detail, the Arlington Memorial Bridge displays famous sculptures such as "The Arts of War", which were made by Leo Friedlander. Along the pylons on each pier, you can also view the work of sculptor Carl Paul Jennewein, which are massive circulars discs completed with eagles and faces.
Francis Scott Key Bridge
Erected in 1923, the Francis Scott Key Bridge was constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers. This concrete built structure provides simple commuting between Arlington County, Virginia and Washington D.C. The FSK is the oldest bridge that crosses over the Potomac River. Designers Max Tyler and Nathan Wyeth used a classical revival arch design when making the plans for this bridge.
John Philip Sousa Bridge
Named after John Philip Sousa, the famous composer of many American marches, the John Philip Sousa Bridge carries Pennsylvania Avenue over the Anacostia River. This bridge was opened in 1940 employing the same masonry piers that were exploited for the previous bridge that stood in its place.
Chain Bridge
Carrying nearly 22,000 cars a day the Chain Bridge crosses over the Potomac River in Little Falls area of Washington, D.C. This girder designed bridge was assembled in 1939 from steel. The Chain Bridge marks the site where the Union Army gained their access to the countryside encampments inside Fairfax County. The bridge features a massive crossbeam structure which seems exactly like a pergola or long garden arbor. The existing bridge is the second structure to stand in place as the first Chain Bridge was first opened in 1793. Chain linked trusses were added in 1810 to the original bridge structure, giving the structure its popular name. All together there were a total of almost ten different version of this bridge in the location on which it now sits.
14th Street Bridge
Composed from five bridges that all cross over the Potomac River, the 14th Street Bridge connects Virginia, Arlington County and DC This structure carries many different names composed from , Arland D. Williams Jr. Memorial Bridge, Charles R. Fenwick Bridge, Rochambeau Bridge, the Long Bridge, and the George Mason Memorial Bridge. Of all the Washington D.C. Bridges, the Chain Bridge carries the most mournful tales. This bridge is the site where the Air Florida Flight 90 airplane crash took place on in 1982. Today repairs continue to be finished on this bridge to mend damage caused in that tragedy.
About the Author:
Gary Mullen has been interested in Washington D.C. bridges for many years. He has written op-eds and editorial pieces for many online publications, which can be read on http://www.HistoricalTreasuresOfDC.com and across the web.
