14th Street Bridges

The 14th Street Bridges form a complex of five separate spans linking vehicular, rail, and pedestrian traffic across the Potomac River between Virginia and Washington, D.C. Four of these carry Interstate 395 traffic on multiple lanes, while one structure accommodates both the Metro Yellow Line and freight rail service.

The original Long Bridge was constructed in 1809 and served a strategic function during the War of 1812 before facing repeated damage from river flooding. Today's multi-span configuration emerged from the need to handle growing traffic volumes throughout the 20th century.

The bridge complex honors Arland D. Williams Jr., whose selfless actions during a 1982 plane crash into the river became a symbol of courage that travelers crossing daily encounter through its naming. This memorial reflects how the community chose to remember an ordinary person who made an extraordinary choice.

Expect heavy traffic, especially during rush hours when commuters cross the river in both directions. The structures are well-lit and clearly marked for vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists, making navigation straightforward even during peak times.

Around a half-million vehicles cross this bridge complex daily, making it one of the busiest river crossings in the nation. Despite this enormous volume, the infrastructure manages to accommodate cars, buses, trains, and pedestrians simultaneously without separate routes for each mode.

Official opening: 1903

GPS coordinates: 38.87468,-77.04067

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:22