New York Ave. bridge work to last two years

Drivers from Maryland and areas east of the District will have to add as much as 30 minutes to their commutes downtown, as the D.C. Department of Transportation begins a two-year rebuilding of a New York Avenue bridge. The 44-year-old bridge, located between Florida Avenue NE and Penn Street NE, will be demolished and rebuilt in two phases. Construction is scheduled to begin on April 25.

Two of the bridge’s six lanes will be closed during each phase of construction, severely shrinking the traffic capacity of a major gateway to the city. Sidewalks on each side of the bridge will also be closed to traffic. DDOT officials estimate drivers on New York Avenue will add between 15 and 30 minutes of travel time to their commutes.