U.S. Department of Transportation Awards the District of Columbia $1 Million in ‘Quick Release” Emergency Relief Funding for Destroyed DC-295 Pedestrian Bridge

Federal Highway Administration
29 July 2021

FHWA 14-21
Contact: Nancy Singer
Tel.: (202) 366-0660

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) today announced the immediate availability of $1 million in “quick release” Emergency Relief (ER) funds to help the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) cover some of the costs associated with the Lane Place Bridge over Route 295 that collapsed last month when a truck hit the bridge.

“We're proud to support the people of Washington D.C. to help get this bridge removed and replaced as quickly as possible,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. “This crash was another reminder of the work we need to do across the country to improve safety on our roads and modernize the infrastructure Americans rely on to get where they need to go."

On June 23, the pedestrian bridge in Northeast Washington was struck by a truck that was traveling on Route 295 with its top portion raised above height clearances. The structure collapsed from the impact, separating residents from businesses, schools and churches on both sides of the six-lane highway. The Lane Place Bridge served as a vital connection for residents of the Kenilworth neighborhood to access transit, including the Deanwood and Minnesota Ave Metro Stations.

Quick release funds will be used to reimburse DDOT for demolition, cleanup and other repair work in the area of the bridge. The funds also will help expedite efforts to develop a replacement pedestrian structure. DDOT plans to replace the 65-year-old bridge with one that will meet current design standards and be safer and more accessible. The current cost estimate for such a replacement bridge is $26 million.

“FHWA will continue to work with the District of Columbia to restore connectivity for residents of this community who rely on the pedestrian bridge to access both sides of the highway,” Acting Federal Highway Administrator Stephanie Pollack said.

FHWA’s ER program provides funding for highways and bridges damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events. These “quick release” ER funds are an initial installment of funds toward restoring this essential link for the community. Additional funds from the Emergency Relief program can be accessed later to help fund the pedestrian bridge replacement.

More information about FHWA’s ER program can be found online at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/programadmin/erelief.cfm