Amtrak Railroad Anacostia Bridge

The Amtrak Railroad Anacostia Bridge is a railway bridge crossing the Anacostia River with two parallel tracks that support both freight and passenger trains. The structure features a vertical lift mechanism that raises the tracks to allow boats to pass underneath.

The original bridge was built in 1905 by the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad as part of early railway expansion in the region. It underwent major reconstruction in 1972 to meet contemporary transportation standards.

The railroad bridge represents an essential connection in the Northeast Corridor, linking Washington D.C. with major metropolitan areas along the eastern seaboard.

The bridge is accessible primarily to train traffic, but you can view it from nearby riverbanks and observation areas along the Anacostia. The lift mechanism is most visible from the water level, where you can see it operate when boats pass through.

A notable event occurred in 1933 when a hurricane caused a train derailment on this bridge, sending a locomotive and several cars into the river below. This incident remains part of the region's railway history and illustrates the impact of severe weather on transportation infrastructure.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Official opening: 1905

GPS coordinates: 38.91703,-76.94365

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:03