Woodrow Wilson Bridge

[Corlyss_D]

When the Bridge was new


Life with the old Bridge - God help you in snow storms


The new Bridge

The minute I leave, they replace the bridge. Back in the early 80s when a local Md contractor won the bid to widen the perenniel bottleneck, my boss brought us regular reports and photos from the contractor, who lived in his neighborhood. It was a pretty spectacular job considering that the bridge could not be shut down during the process and the contractor finished early and underbudget - a rarity in government contracting.

[jbuck919]

For those who do not know, this is the bridge on the Washington Beltway across the southern portion of the Potomac River. It has always been a suspension bridge, and famous and enormous backups were caused when the span was opened. Years ago, a much higher bridge was proposed, which would, alas, have in their own minds ruined the view of a handful of wealthy constituents (it would have done no such thing but rather ennobled the Washington area skyline). So instead we got a compromise. It is still a suspension span, only now the chances of being backed up are one in ten instead of one in five. Worth 17 billion dollars or whatever, don't you think?

[Ralph]

As stunningly beautiful as the bridge over the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn.

[Corlyss_D]

I was wondering if you remembered the Wilson Bridge from your days in Shirlington.

[Ralph]

I was wondering if you remembered the Wilson Bridge from your days in Shirlington.

*****

Yes. "Shirlington." Haven't heard that name in ages.

[jbuck919]

I was wondering if you remembered the Wilson Bridge from your days in Shirlington.

*****

Yes. "Shirlington." Haven't heard that name in ages.

It was named after one of the three daughters of Mr. Arling: Shirley, Rosslyn, and Crystal.

[Corlyss_D]

I was wondering if you remembered the Wilson Bridge from your days in Shirlington.

*****

Yes. "Shirlington." Haven't heard that name in ages.

It was named after one of the three daughters of Mr. Arling: Shirley, Rosslyn, and Crystal.

You win another one.

John, what are going to do with all those Post of the Day Awards?

[Corlyss_D]

I was wondering if you remembered the Wilson Bridge from your days in Shirlington.

*****

Yes. "Shirlington." Haven't heard that name in ages.

It's disappearing, just like Shirley Highway. Nobody calls it that or it's old US Highway number, 350, any more. It's 395.

[Ralph]

I was wondering if you remembered the Wilson Bridge from your days in Shirlington.

*****

Yes. "Shirlington." Haven't heard that name in ages.

It's disappearing, just like Shirley Highway. Nobody calls it that or it's old US Highway number, 350, any more. It's 395.

*****

I lived a couple of hundred feet from Shirley Highway on South Wayne off South Glebe. Ah, memories.

[Ted]

John Wrote:

It has always been a suspension bridge, and famous and enormous backups were caused when the span was opened. Years ago, a much higher bridge was proposed, which would, alas, have in their own minds ruined the view of a handful of wealthy constituents (it would have done no such thing but rather ennobled the Washington area skyline). So instead we got a compromise. It is still a suspension span, only now the chances of being backed up are one in ten instead of one in five. Worth 17 billion dollars or whatever, don't you think?

The last time I looked, a suspension bridge had cables and tall towers.....????

[jbuck919]

John Wrote:

It has always been a suspension bridge, and famous and enormous backups were caused when the span was opened. Years ago, a much higher bridge was proposed, which would, alas, have in their own minds ruined the view of a handful of wealthy constituents (it would have done no such thing but rather ennobled the Washington area skyline). So instead we got a compromise. It is still a suspension span, only now the chances of being backed up are one in ten instead of one in five. Worth 17 billion dollars or whatever, don't you think?

The last time I looked, a suspension bridge had cables and tall towers.....????

Duh. Obviously I meant a drawbridge. It is remarkable that nobody caught me on this before you did.

(The proper new WW Bridge would have been partly a suspenson span and that is probably what led me down the primrose path.)

[Ted]

Duh.

Anyway, it's water under the .....

[Corlyss_D]

It is remarkable that nobody caught me on this before you did.

I didn't read your post because it was aimed at people who didn't know the bridge or the area.