Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge

Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge

Photo: NPS / Claire Hassler

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The Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge is located at the southern edge of Anacostia Park and carries South Capitol Street over the Anacostia River into Washington, D.C. It is named for the famed social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman, Fredrick Douglass. Construction of the bridge started in 2018 and was completed in 2021. The bridge is 1,600-feet long and consists of three sets of parallel white arches. There are six lanes of traffic and a joint bicycle-pedestrian path on both sides. 

Frederick Douglass spent his life fighting for justice and equality. Born into slavery in 1818, he escaped as a young man and became a leading voice in the abolitionist movement. Douglass moved to Anacostia in 1878. Douglass used to spend much of his time walking down the Anacostia River. He was a talented botanist and would collect plants and study the environment.