Arlington Memorial Bridge

The Arlington Memorial Bridge in Washington, D.C. crosses the Potomac River, connecting the Lincoln Memorial and Columbia Island. The northeastern end of the bridge marks the western edge of the National Mall. The southwestern end connects with Memorial Avenue, which crosses the Boundary Channel Bridge into Virginia and travels to Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County.

On April 4, 1980, the Arlington Memorial Bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Construction of the Arlington Memorial Bridge was authorized by Congress on February 24, 1925, and it opened on January 16, 1932. The dedication ceremony was headed by President Herbert Hoover. Designed by architectural firm McKim, Mead, and White, the neoclassical bridge is 2,163 feet long.

Although the Arlington Memorial Bridge was part of the 1901 McMillan Commission's plan for restoring Pierre (Peter) Charles L'Enfant's original plan for the capital, two decades passed before construction was initiated. President Warren G. Harding was caught in a three-hour traffic jam while on his way to dedicate the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, because the previous wooden bridge could not handle the traffic. The ensuing turmoil led to appropriation for the bridge construction.

Arlington Memorial Bridge

At Arlington National Cemetary, view from Lee House, Lincoln Memorial and Arlington Memorial Bridge over Potomac.

Photo 402, Nov 2008

Arlington Memorial Bridge, lower, and trafic circle.

Arlington National Cemetary would be under the aircraft.

Photo 76, Nov 2011