Letter
Dear Ms. Nersesian:
In its public meeting of 22 January conducted by videoconference, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed a revised concept design for the proposed expansion of the Long Bridge corridor, a complex of bridges and embankments extending between Virginia and the District of Columbia; the scope of this submission is the southern part of the corridor, from the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Virginia to the Potomac River’s east bank at Ohio Drive, SW. The Commission did not take an action, instead providing the following comments.
Noting the national historic and scenic importance of the Potomac River, the Commission members emphasized that the aesthetic standard for the project’s river crossings should be very high. They observed that the view from the bicycle-pedestrian bridge to the swing-span truss of the historic rail bridge may be blocked by the high steel plate girders of the new rail bridge. Therefore, they recommended study of a more open structure for the sides of the new bridge where it is adjacent to the swing span, including the development of renderings that illustrate these views with accurate and legible depictions of the swing span and the 14th Street Bridge complex. For the bicycle- pedestrian bridge, they recommended that the proposed round cast-concrete piers be less utilitarian in character, suggesting study of either a design to be clad in stone, or a more elegant shape for the cast concrete; they also commented favorably on the design of this bridge’s pile caps. In general, they expressed support for the proposed landscape design throughout the project area, and for maintaining access for the recreational use of the river, particularly on national holidays.
The Commission encouraged the design team to ensure that the bridge spans are as beautiful as possible and looks forward to further review of the design for this important civic infrastructure project. Please continue to consult with the staff which, as always, is available to assist you.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
Jen Nersesian, Regional Director
Region 1–National Capital Area
National Park Service
1100 Ohio Drive, SW
Washington, DC 20242
cc: Shirlene Cleveland, Virginia Passenger Rail Authority
Andrea Lake, Floura Teeter Landscape Architects
Sharon Kershbaum, D.C. Department of Transportation