Chain Bridge closing rescheduled

The District Department of Transportation plans to completely shut Chain Bridge on the weekend of March 13-14. The bridge is a popular route across the Potomac, and travelers often ask about the status of the rehabilitation project that began last spring.

In January, DDOT began announcing schedules for two full weekend shutdowns of the bridge. But each time they were announced, they had to be rescheduled because of snow and freezing temperatures. Better weather is getting the project back on track.

The shutdown is now scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Friday, March 12, and end by 5 a.m. Monday, March 15. The full shutdown is necessary for reconstruction work on the bridge deck, its steel beams and the approaches.

During the closing, there will be no access to the bridge from the District or Arlington. That includes cyclists and pedestrians. Through-traffic on Canal Road will not be obstructed, but drivers won't be able to turn onto Chain Bridge. Alternatives include the Legion, Key, Roosevelt, Memorial and 14th Street bridges.

No word yet on a new completion date for the entire project, which has taken away one of the bridge's three lanes for the duration.