Significant Delays Expected as Theodore Roosevelt Bridge Reduces to Two Lanes

Major Traffic Alert: Theodore Roosevelt Bridge Capacity Cut

Commuters heading into and out of the District this morning should prepare for significant congestion on the western side of the city. As of this week, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has reduced traffic capacity on the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge (I-66) to just two lanes in each direction. This reduction is a critical phase of the ongoing bridge rehabilitation project, which includes structural repairs and a full replacement of the bridge deck.

In addition to the lane reductions on the bridge itself, the eastbound US Route 50 ramp from Arlington Boulevard is currently closed. DDOT has implemented a posted detour directing motorists to use the George Washington Memorial Parkway to reach the Arlington Memorial Bridge as an alternative. These restrictions are expected to remain in place through early June 2026. Commuters are strongly advised to consider the Francis Scott Key Memorial Bridge or the Chain Bridge to avoid the heavy bottlenecks forming at the I-66 approach.

Artery Updates: I-395 and the Capital Beltway

Beyond the Roosevelt Bridge, several other major arteries are seeing active work zones today:

• I-395 HOV Bridge: Rehabilitation work continues on the northbound I-395 HOV bridge. Crews are performing concrete deck replacements, which may lead to intermittent lane closures and shifted traffic patterns during off-peak hours.
• I-495 / Dulles Toll Road Interchange: While daytime lanes remain open, motorists traveling late this evening should be aware of nightly ramp closures at the Dulles Toll Road and I-495 interchange. Girder painting for the 495 NEXT project requires detours between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
• George Washington Memorial Parkway: Construction continues on the northern section of the parkway near Route 123. Drivers should expect single-lane conditions in areas where bridge reinforcement work is still underway.

City Street Impacts and Public Transit

Within the District, the Connecticut Avenue NW deckover project near Dupont Circle continues to restrict service lanes between Q Street and the circle. Additionally, sidewalk and utility repairs are localized on Independence Avenue SW and New York Avenue NW, causing minor curbside delays. On a positive note for downtown commuters, the northbound lanes of 14th Street NW between L Street and Thomas Circle have fully reopened following the completion of emergency sewer tunnel stabilization by DC Water.

Metrorail is operating on a standard Wednesday schedule; however, riders on the Green and Yellow lines should remain alert for minor delays due to scheduled winter track maintenance between U Street and Georgia Ave-Petworth. For those interested in future transit developments, DDOT is hosting an in-person open house today, February 18, regarding the 11th Street NW Multimodal Safety Project, which may impact traffic along that corridor in the coming years.