Anacostia bridge building in new phase

Looking west across new Anacostia bridge toward SE/SW Freeway. (Thomson)

So far, most of the visible work on the District's biggest transportation project has been done in the middle of the Anacostia River and on its east bank. Now, drivers on the Southeast-Southwest Freeway are going to get close to the construction of the new 11th Street Bridge.

Over the next two weeks, contractors are scheduled to drive piles in the freeway median east of 11th Street SE. This is an early phase in the construction of a ramp to the freeway from the new inbound span, one of three that will be part of rebuilt bridge. Two of the spans will carry freeway traffic across the river. The third is meant for neighborhood to neighborhood traffic, including bikes, pedestrians and streetcars. The entire project, now more than 25 percent done, is scheduled for completion in 2013.

This next phase involving the pile driving is scheduled for 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays over the next two weeks.