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Contact: Jenny Anzelmo-Sarles, 202-619-7177
WASHINGTON – The National Park Service (NPS), in its ongoing commitment to keep the Arlington Memorial Bridge open and safe, invites the public to comment on the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the bridge rehabilitation project, a comprehensive proposal to rehabilitate and repair the iconic bridge. Comments will be accepted April 15 - May 16, 2016. The EA, a required milestone before any rehabilitation on Arlington Memorial Bridge can begin, is a critical step to ensure the project can proceed without delay once funding for the project is secured. Yesterday, the NPS and the District of Columbia submitted a strong application for the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) FASTLANE Grant 2016 program to help fund the rehabilitation project. NPS appreciates the support of Mayor Bowser and local congressional leaders and looks forward to the Department of Transportation’s full consideration of the application. The NPS has invested nearly $10 million in temporary repairs for the bridge since 2010 with another $5 million emergency repair to start next year. The 2017 trunnion post project is the final temporary repair before a full rehabilitation is required. Arlington Memorial Bridge, part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, is more than 80 years old and has never undergone a major rehabilitation. The NPS will continue to pursue every available option to fully fund the rehabilitation project. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the NPS, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Capital Planning Commission, has prepared the EA to examine the environmental impacts of the Arlington Memorial Bridge rehabilitation project. Concurrently, the agencies are conducting consultation in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). The NPS is proposing to repair Arlington Memorial Bridge by rehabilitating or replacing the steel draw span, called a bascule span; repairing deteriorated portions of the abutments, piers and concrete arch spans; replacing the concrete bridge deck; and resurfacing travel lanes. The rehabilitation project also includes replacing concrete sidewalks and refitting granite curbs; repairing granite bridge railings, lamp posts, and access panels; installing a better drainage system; and making minor, nonstructural improvements. The EA is available for public comment for a period of 30 days from April 15 - May 16, 2016, online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/memorialbridgeea. A copy of the EA is also available for public review at the following locations: George Washington Memorial Parkway Headquarters Arlington County Public Library Arlington County Public Library DC Public Library - Martin Luther King Jr., Memorial Library DC Public Library - West End Library (interim location) The preferred method for receiving public comments is through the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website, where the EA is posted. The PEPC database is a tool used by the NPS to manage official correspondence and analyze public comments during the planning process. You may complete a comment form online: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/memorialbridgeea. In the left menu, click Document List, then April 2016 Environmental Assessment, and Comment on Document. Written comments may also be mailed to: Mailed comments must be postmarked by May 16, 2016 to receive consideration. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. |
Last updated: July 18, 2016