West Glebe Road Bridge Reconstruction Project
Bridge Demolition Starting Week of August 1
Contractors will begin demolition of the West Glebe Road Bridge upper deck the week of Aug. 1, 2022, and finish approximately by the week of Sept. 5, 2022.
Work hours will be Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m., with nights and Saturdays as needed.
A temporary pedestrian bridge will open the week of July 25. Vehicular detours have been in effect since May 2022.
See detour information below.
Location
West Glebe Road Bridge at South Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington, VA 22206 View Map
38.84367287421829, -77.07720295250789
West Glebe Road Bridge at South Four Mile Run Drive ,
Arlington, VA 22206
West Glebe Road Bridge at South Four Mile Run Drive ,
Arlington, VA 22206
StatusConstruction
Reconstruction on the superstructure of the bridge will begin in May 2022 and is expected to be completed in summer 2023. A temporary bridge next to the main structure will open in late July 2022 to maintain pedestrian and bike traffic. Non-explosive dismantling of the main structure will begin August 1, 2022.
Traffic Impacts
Starting Monday, May 9, the West Glebe Road Bridge will be closed to all motor vehicle traffic.
- Detours are available through the I-395 ramp to Shirlington Circle, and at the intersection of Mount Vernon Ave and South Glebe Road.
- Variable Messaging Signs will be installed to guide motorists away from the bridge.
Vehicle Detour Map
One sidewalk will be open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic until a temporary footbridge opens parallel to the main bridge starting the week of July 25, 2022.
The Four Mile Run Trail underpass at the north end of the West Glebe Road bridge will be closed for safety during the reconstruction project.
- Trail traffic will detour for about .25 miles onto South Four Mile Run Drive and South Glebe Road to rejoin the trail.
- Signs will be posted to guide trail users to the detour.
Pedestrian/Bike Access Map
About the Project
Background
A routine inspection in fall 2018 of the West Glebe Road Bridge at South Four Mile Run Drive uncovered deterioration that required a vehicle weight restriction of 5-tons and closure of the sidewalks in both directions. The southbound lane across the bridge was converted for the exclusive use of people walking and biking. A similar inspection in fall 2021 found further deterioration, prompting the County to again shift lanes and the temporary walking path.
County staff are developing designs for a bridge that replaces the deteriorated roadway substructure and reuses the existing piers, which are stable. This reduces impacts to the watershed, helps reduce project costs and contributes to a shorter construction timeline.
Project Goals
The goals of this project are to:
- 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
View a summary of guidance from the Four Mile Run Restoration Master Plan (2006) and the Four Mile Run Design Guidelines (2009)
Design-build contract
Arlington County and the City of Alexandria agreed on a design-build approach for this project, where a firm is hired to take the design from 30% to final and then build the West Glebe Road bridge. The design-build process includes proposals with specific art elements that enhance the bridge aesthetically, provide additional lighting on the Four Mile Run trail, and connect the design of the bridge to the communities of Arlington and Alexandria.
In April 2021 the County Board approved a $9.89 million contract, including contingency, to Corman Kokosing Construction Company for design-build services to replace the West Glebe Road Bridge. Design of the bridge is expected to last one year, and the project will go to immediate construction after the design is complete.
Artist Vicki Scuri has been retained by Corman Kokosing Construction Company to provide art elements that will enhance the bridge aesthetically, provide additional lighting on the Four Mile Run trail and connect the design of the bridge to the communities of Arlington and Alexandria.
Responding to the communities’ concern for connectivity and the impact to residents living in close proximity, 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.
Press Release
Public Process
Project Update - March 2022
The project team held a virtual public meeting on the Arlington Ridge Road Bridge project that featured a brief project update on the status of the West Glebe Road Bridge. The announcement provided information on the construction timeline and impacts.
Open House - February 2020
Arlington County staff, in coordination with colleagues in the City of Alexandria, hosted a drop-in style open house at Gunston Middle School. For those unable to attend the open house, meeting materials are provided below and feedback was collected online.
Using feedback received from the public through meetings and online feedback, County staff developed an Ideabook that reflects the desires of the community and links the bridge design to the Four Mile Run Master Plan and Design Guidelines.
Meeting materials
- Project Boards: Project Background; Planning Guidance; Existing Conditions, Constraints and Opportunities; Opportunities for Input; and Next Steps.
- Plantillas de Proyecto: Introducción del Proyecto y Guías para el Proyecto; Condiciones Existentes, Alternativas y Restricciones; Oportunidades para Contribuir; y Pasos Siguientes
Community engagement and feedback summary
Funding
Arlington County and the City of Alexandria are sharing design and reconstruction costs for the new bridge.
Photo Gallery