The opening of the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge tops off two difficult decades of community debate, Congressional-wrangling, consultant studies and blue-collar construction that many times seemed to be in serious trouble, before turning into a mega-project success story.
Northern Virginia commuters are starting to navigate some of the biggest detours and traffic jams since the building of a new Woodrow Wilson Bridge and the reconfiguring of the Springfield interchange, amid a road and rail construction boom.
During the six years of construction on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge project, traffic has been stopped, detoured and rerouted several times with varying results. Here is a look at some of the major switches and their effects.
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Historical Gallery: A photographic timeline of a mega-project success story.
Opening Ceremony: A long-awaited structure connecting Virginia and Maryland was inaugurated when the drawbridge on the first of two spans of a new Woodrow Wilson Bridge was lowered into place.
Aerial View of Old and New Bridges: Alexandria Department firefighter Jack Hoffman watches over the old and new Woodrow Wilson bridges at a dedication ceremony for the new bridge on Thursday.
New Woodrow Wilson Bridge Jim Ruddell, construction manager for the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge, fielded questions and comments about the construction process, Thursday's dedication and how the new bridge might affect commuting in the Washington, D.C., area.
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Get There: Post reporter Steven Ginsberg blogs on issues that affect your commute.
Transcript
Metro: Roads and Rails Washington Post staff writers Steven Ginsberg discussed local travel and transportation.