Arlington Ridge Road/Mount Vernon Avenue Bridge Reconstruction Project

Overnight Concrete Pouring

On July 7 and July 9, crews will work overnight to pour concrete on the west half of the bridge. Night work will take place 10 p.m. to 11 a.m.. Dates are subject to change. Expect associated noise and lights during work. No additional lane closures expected.

Location

Arlington Ridge Road/Mount Vernon Avenue, Arlington, VA 22202 View Map

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Status

Construction

Construction began on the west half of the bridge in the summer of 2025. Reconstruction of the east half will follow completion of the west half. The whole project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2027.

Phase 1 Reconstruction

The project team is demolishing and reconstructing the west side of the bridge over Four Mile Run. The west side of the bridge is closed and all vehicle and sidewalk traffic has shifted to the east side of the bridge. This phase is expected to be completed in October of 2026.

After the west side is complete, crews will demolish and reconstruct the east side of the bridge.

Construction Traffic Pattern

The project team is working on one half of the bridge at a time, and the east half will remain open. To keep crews and the community safe during construction activities, lanes and trail access will close.

One lane open in each direction on the east side of the bridge, and the east sidewalk remains open on the bridge.
The closure of the Four Mile Run Trail underpass on the Arlington County side on the north side of the bridge is temporarily lifted during Phase 1 work on the west side of the bridge. The closure will resume as the project progresses to the second phase.
Trail traffic will detour via South Lang Street and South Glebe Road to reconnect with the Four Mile Run Trail. Signs will direct traffic to detour routes.

When the west half of the bridge is complete, the project team will repeat the same process on the east half of the bridge in Phase 2.

Traffic Pattern Map

Overnight Concrete Pour - July 7 & July 9

On Tuesday, July 7 and on Thursday, July 9, crews will perform night work to pour concrete on the west side of the Arlington Ridge Road/Mount Vernon Avenue bridge. (These dates are subject to change depending on weather and other considerations.)

To prepare for this work, crews will begin staging equipment at around 10:00 p.m., and overnight work will start at 1:00 a.m. and end at 11:00 a.m..

What to Expect During Concrete Work

During this time, concrete trucks will arrive one at a time around every 30 minutes and pour the concrete into a pump truck to distribute the material on the bridge deck for finishing and then depart as each load is finished. Expect lights, the sound of back up alarms and concrete pouring during this time.

No lanes are expected to close for this work, as all concrete pouring will take place on the closed half of the bridge.

The night work will allow the project team to maintain temperature controls of the concrete during pouring.

Please contact the project manager Rene Harris with any concerns at rharris1@arlingtonva.us or at 703-228-3809.

Project Background

This project will replace the deteriorated roadway and underlying bridge deck of the Arlington Ridge Road/Mount Vernon Avenue bridge between Arlington County and the City of Alexandria. Due to the condition of the bridge, Arlington County and the City of Alexandria are working as partners to fast-track the design and construction of a replacement bridge.

Responding to the community's concern for connectivity and the impact to residents and businesses nearest to the bridge, the bridge will continue to operate during construction, but with reduced lane capacity. People walking or biking will continue to have access to the bridge through the duration of project construction.

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Project Goals

Return the bridge to a safe operational condition for all users
Improve access for people walking, biking and driving
Advance the community vision of the Four Mile Run Master Plan

Public Art Component

Artist Vicki Scuri is incorporating art elements into the design of the Ridge Road Bridge that takes inspiration from the Four Mile Run stream. Once complete, the Ridge Road Bridge and the West Glebe Road Bridge, located just a mile upstream, will be seen as a pair. The Arlington Ridge Road Bridge art component is being managed in partnership with Arlington Economic Development.

Public Process

Spring 2022 - Project Update and Art Enhancement Engagement

Consult

On March 16, 2022, the project team held a public meeting to update the community on the status of the bridge project, introduce the artist designing art enhancements to the community, and learning more about your experiences using the bridge and the Four Mile Run Valley corridor generally. An online engagement was open for two weeks to collect community feedback.

Winter 2024 – VDOT Public Notice: Section 4(f) de minimus Impact Four Mile Run Trail

Consult

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is accepting written comments regarding Arlington County’s preliminary concurrence with the Federal Highway Administration’s Section 4(f) applicability criteria for de minimis impact for a 0.08-acre temporary easement on Four Mile Run Park for the project.

Review the Section 4(f) de minimis documentation online below or by appointment only during business hours at VDOT’s Northern Virginia District Office, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030. Please call 703-259-1729 or TTY/TDD 711 to make an appointment with appropriate personnel.

Submit your written comments to Mr. Arun So at the above address by March 1, 2024. You may also email Arun.So@vdot.virginia.gov. Please reference “Mt Vernon Ave Bridge de minimis” in the subject line.

VDOT ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended. If you need special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact VDOT Civil Rights at 703-259-1775 or TTY/TDD 711.

Section 4(f) de minimis documentation

Spring 2024 - Project Update Open House

The project team hosted an Open House on March 19.

Attendees were able to:

Learn more about the project background —why it’s happening now, and what the goals are for the project.
See the final art enhancement and bridge design informed by community feedback.
Understand what happens next, including anticipated impacts during construction.
Ask questions of project staff.

Meeting materials:

Project Boards: Project Background; Planning Guidance; Bridge Design; and Next Steps.
Plantillas de Proyecto: Introducción del Proyecto y Guías para el Proyecto; Diseño de puentes; y Pasos Siguientes.