Taft Bridge, Neoclassical concrete bridge in Woodley Park, United States
Taft Bridge is a road and pedestrian bridge in Washington, D.C. that spans Rock Creek gorge with massive concrete arches. It stretches roughly 274 meters and links the Woodley Park and Kalorama neighborhoods along Connecticut Avenue.
Construction started in 1897 under engineer George S. Morison and finished in 1907. At that time it was the largest concrete structure in the world, marking a major milestone in bridge building.
Four concrete lions sculpted by Roland Hinton Perry stand guard at each end of the bridge, and twenty-four lampposts topped with eagles line the walkway. These details give the crossing a formal, stately character that feels more like passing through a gateway than crossing a simple road.
The bridge is open around the clock for vehicles and pedestrians and serves as a main link between residential areas north of Rock Creek and downtown Washington. Visitors should expect it to be crowded during rush hours when traffic flows heavily.
The bridge earned recognition on the National Register of Historic Places and is notable because it was one of the first structures of this size built with reinforced concrete. This technical innovation was groundbreaking when completed and reshaped how engineers designed major crossings.
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