Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge

The Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge is an arch bridge crossing the Anacostia River in Washington D.C. with white structural elements and curved forms throughout its length. The structure carries six traffic lanes connecting South Capitol Street to Interstate 295 and the Suitland Parkway.

The bridge opened in 2021 and replaced the original South Capitol Street Bridge built in 1950, which had served the area for several decades. This replacement marks a major shift in the city's transportation network.

The bridge honors Frederick Douglass, a prominent abolitionist who lived in the Anacostia neighborhood starting in 1878. His legacy shapes how residents connect the area's identity with this important historical figure.

The bridge serves thousands of daily commuters and connects two major routes south of downtown. Pedestrians and cyclists should know this is a high-traffic area with dedicated paths for non-vehicle traffic.

The construction was one of the largest infrastructure projects in Washington D.C. history and required thousands of workers over several years. This scale of effort made it a turning point for how the city manages major development.