Francis Case Memorial Bridge, Road bridge over Washington Channel, Washington D.C., United States
Francis Case Memorial Bridge is a road bridge crossing the Washington Channel that carries eight lanes of Interstate 395 traffic over the water. It also features a separate bicycle and pedestrian path, making it important for multiple types of users.
Initial plans for a bridge at this location date back to 1952, but construction did not begin until 1959 after significant revisions. The completed structure opened to traffic in 1962 and was named for the senator years later.
The bridge was named in 1965 to honor Senator Francis Case from South Dakota, who advocated for voting rights for Washington D.C. residents. His name appears on the structure today as a reminder of his support for the city.
The bridge connects East Potomac Park to Southwest Washington and becomes quite crowded, especially during peak traffic times. Pedestrians and cyclists should use the separate paths if they want to cross the bridge.
The bridge features an unusual design where two main spans split into three sections on the north side of the channel. This architectural feature results from how the structure crosses the water before expanding into multiple traffic lanes.
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