Chain Bridge

Chain Bridge is a steel girder bridge that spans the Potomac River at Little Falls, connecting Washington D.C. with Arlington and Fairfax counties in Virginia. The structure operates with three lanes of traffic, where the center lane reverses direction based on traffic needs, and includes a sidewalk for pedestrians.

The first structure at this location opened in 1797 as a wooden bridge and went through several rebuilds with chain suspension designs before reaching its current form in 1939. The steel structure that stands today has served as a continuous river crossing for over 200 years.

The bridge takes its name from the historic chain designs that once held it up, though those structures are no longer visible. Visitors walking across notice the connection to the towpath alongside, which links to the waterway's working heritage.

Pedestrians can use the wide walkway and have views of the river during their crossing. Access to the towpath is straightforward from the bridge, making it easy to continue on to longer walks along the canal.

Water mains run beneath the bridge to supply drinking water to Arlington County through the Washington Aqueduct system, hiding this critical infrastructure from view. This hidden function shows how bridges do more than carry vehicles and also transport essential services.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Inception: 1936

GPS coordinates: 38.93000,-77.11440

Latest update: December 8, 2025 13:44