Residents in the Southwest neighbhorhoods are all too familiar with the ongoing construction and rehabilitation of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge. Earlier this summer, the bridge was closed for two months for some extensive work, including lowering the bridge and creating new intersections in anticipation of the new ballpark.

DDOT has just released additional information the next set of bridge improvements. You can read the press release below:

Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge Ongoing Lane Closures Continued Bridge Upgrades; Off-Peak Lane Closures on Bridge

(Washington, DC) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) throughout the coming two months will continue its highly publicized repair and restoration of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge (also known as the South Capitol Street Bridge) and the adjoining South Capitol Street corridor.

In late August DDOT announced the successful completion of the first phase restoration of the bridge, which necessitated a two month closure over the summer. DDOT also announced upcoming continuing repairs that may necessitate off peak lane closures.

The next phase of construction work includes railing installations, touch-up painting of railings, bolt torqueing, steel repairs and sidewalk repairs.

Key lane closures worth noting for motorists who use the bridge frequently:

- One outbound lane on the bridge will be closed to traffic from 6 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. on weekdays until mid-January 2008. 

- One inbound lane on the bridge will be closed to traffic on weekdays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. until mid-January 2008.

- There will be weekend lane closures (no full closure, just lane restrictions) on the bridge in both directions from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. until December 23, 2007.   

DDOT thanks motorists and residents for their ongoing patience as these much-needed upgrades go smoothly and on schedule.