Mayor Gray to Open New Ramp from Southbound DC-295 (Anacostia Freeway) To the 11th Street Bridge

WHAT/WHO:  Mayor Vincent C. Gray, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and community members will celebrate a major milestone on the 11th Street Bridge Project by opening the new freeway ramp that connects southbound DC-295 (Anacostia Freeway) to I-695 and I-395. 

WHEN:        Monday, July 30, 2012
                   10:30 am

WHERE:      New DC 295 Southbound Ramp to I-695
                   The entrance will be off southbound 295 just south
                   of Pennsylvania Avenue SE.  Please follow signs
                   and park along the ramp as directed.

BACKGROUND:    This ramp is part of the 11th Street Bridge Project, which is the largest in DDOT history. The opening of this new ramp is a significant event, as it completes a missing connection for freeway traffic and is expected to ease commuter traffic and reduce rush-hour traffic that currently cuts through neighborhoods east of the Anacostia River.  Currently there is no direct connection between southbound 295 and the 11th Street Bridge. The new ramp is projected to carry 34,000 cars a day by year 2030. For additional information about the 11th Street Bridge Project please visit www.anacostiawaterfront.org

PHOTO OPP:    Following the program, Mayor Gray, DDOT and FHWA officials and members of the community will lead a fleet of DDOT vehicles across the new ramp. The ramp is expected to open to traffic the same day.