Lane Closure for Bridge Connecting Arlington with Alexandria
Published on November 17, 2021
Arlington, VA – Arlington County, in consultation with the City of Alexandria, has shifted traffic lanes and a pedestrian walking path on the West Glebe Road Bridge over Four Mile Run.
One northbound lane and one southbound lane will remain open, with one northbound lane being converted to a pedestrian and bike path due to the closure of the west sidewalk.
A recent inspection revealed additional deterioration under the west sidewalk and the temporary walking path, which necessitated the sidewalk being closed in this area. The bridge deck and the beams underneath are in the process of being replaced, with construction expected to begin next summer immediately after design is complete.
These additional restrictions will remain in place until construction begins on the permanent bridge replacement. Engineers will continue to monitor conditions.
The West Glebe bridge is inspected formally by third-party engineers every three months. Per industry standard, Arlington bridges are formally inspected by third party engineers every two years, with regular County safety checks at other times.
The routine inspection of the bridge in fall 2018 uncovered deterioration that prompted 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.
In April 2021, the Arlington County Board approved a $9.89 million contract with Corman Kokosing Construction Company to design and build the replacement over Four Mile Run, which is scheduled to begin in the summer 2022. The project is being funded jointly by Alexandria and Arlington County.
