American Legion Memorial Bridge (Potomac River) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids American Legion Memorial Bridge
View of the west side of the bridge from the south bank
Coordinates	38°58′13″N 77°10′47″W / 38.97017°N 77.17962°W / 38.97017; -77.17962
Carries	10 lanes of I-495, 8 thru lanes and 2 auxiliary lanes
Crosses	Potomac River
Locale	Montgomery County, Maryland and Fairfax County, Virginia
Official name	American Legion Memorial Bridge
Other name(s)	Legion Bridge
Maintained by	Maryland State Highway Administration
History
Opened	December 31, 1962 (62 years ago) (1962-12-31)
Statistics
Daily traffic	232,000 (2010)

The American Legion Memorial Bridge is a large bridge that carries Interstate 495, also known as the Capital Beltway. This busy highway crosses the Potomac River. The bridge connects Montgomery County in Maryland with Fairfax County in Virginia. It is a very important route for people traveling in the Washington, D.C. area.

The bridge has ten lanes for traffic. Five lanes go in one direction, and five go in the other. The lanes on the very outside are for cars entering or exiting the highway. These lanes connect to roads like the Clara Barton Parkway in Maryland and the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Virginia.

History of the Bridge

The American Legion Memorial Bridge first opened on December 31, 1962. It was originally called the "Cabin John Bridge." This name came from the nearby community of Cabin John in Maryland. The opening was a quiet event because of the cold weather.

Why the Name Changed

On May 30, 1969, the bridge was officially renamed. It became the "American Legion Memorial Bridge." This new name honors the American Legion, a group of military veterans. The change also helped avoid confusion. There was another nearby bridge, the Union Arch Bridge, that some people also called "the Cabin John Bridge."

How the Bridge Grew

When it first opened, the bridge had six lanes. Over time, more traffic used the bridge. So, by 1992, the bridge was made wider. A third section was added in the middle. This made it a ten-lane bridge, as it is today.

A Very Busy Crossing

The American Legion Memorial Bridge is a key route for people traveling to work. It connects important business and technology areas in Maryland and Virginia. It is the only major bridge for cars between Montgomery County, Maryland, and Fairfax County, Virginia. These are the two most populated counties in their states.

Because so many people use it, the bridge often gets very crowded. This heavy traffic has led to discussions about building another bridge. Some people think a new bridge would help reduce traffic. Others worry it would cause more development and pollution.

Future Plans for the Bridge

In 2019, plans were announced to rebuild the bridge. The goal is to make it even bigger. The new structure will have twelve lanes, up from ten. It will also include special toll lanes. These are lanes where drivers pay a fee to use them, often to help reduce traffic.

What the Bridge Crosses Over

The bridge crosses over several important places. On the Virginia side, it goes over the western end of the Potomac Heritage Trail. It also crosses the George Washington Memorial Parkway. On the Maryland side, the bridge goes over MacArthur Boulevard and the Clara Barton Parkway. It also crosses the historic Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. One of the canal's old locks, Lock 13, is right underneath the bridge.

The American Legion Memorial Bridge is one of two places where the Capital Beltway crosses the Potomac River. The other crossing is the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge.

Images for kids

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  The southbound side of the bridge in April 2014.

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  Heavy traffic on the bridge during rush hour.

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  The American Legion Memorial Bridge over the Potomac River.

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  Another view of the American Legion Memorial Bridge.