Seminary Road Pedestrian Bridge Could Open as Early as Wednesday: VDOT

PHOTO of new pedestrian bridge crossing I-395 at Seminary Road in Alexandria courtesy of VDOT

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ALEXANDRIA, VA -- A new pedestrian bridge crossing I-395 at Seminary Road in Alexandria will open soon, as early as Wednesday, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

This new bridge is completely separate from Seminary Road traffic, providing pedestrians and bicyclists a safe access across I-395, VDOT noted in a news release announcing the opening of the pedestrian bridge.

"This new pedestrian bridge highlights the functional and safety improvements VDOT has added to improve this busy intersection in Alexandria," said Helen Cuervo, VDOT's Northern Virginia District administrator. The new pedestrian bridge at Seminary Road is the final part of a $76 million project that includes:

• Auxiliary lane on northbound I-395 between Duke Street and Seminary Road
• High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) ramp from the I-395 HOV lanes to Seminary Road
• Rebuilt Seminary Road overpass

The Seminary Road pedestrian bridge links a sidewalk in front of Southern Towers Apartments to a sidewalk along Seminary Road on the east side of I-395, eliminating the need for pedestrians to cross an intersection.

VDOT broke ground on the first part of this project in 2013, and shortly after opened the 0.8-mile auxiliary lane on northbound I-395 between the Duke Street ramp and the Seminary Road exit, VDOT said.

At the same time, the Seminary Road Bridge carrying motorists over I-395 was demolished and reconstructed, while motorists traveled through a temporary lane configuration and pedestrians used a temporary sidewalk on the roadway.

All lanes of Seminary Road reopened in early January 2016, followed by the HOV ramp from I-395 to Seminary Road. Minor work on the landscaping, sound walls and lighting will continue until later this month.

More information about the project is available at http://virginiadot.org/projects/northernvirginia/i-395_hov-transit_ramp.asp