Skanska has secured a $114 million design-build contract from the District Department of Transportation, working in coordination with the Federal Highway Administration, to undertake major rehabilitation of the I-395 northbound bridge over the Potomac River. The bridge links Arlington, Virginia to Washington, D.C. and is a critical regional transportation corridor.
The structure, built in 1950 and known as the Arland D. Williams Jr. Memorial Bridge, currently carries four lanes of traffic. The planned improvements are intended to extend the bridge’s service life by an estimated 75 years, underscoring a long-term commitment to maintaining one of the area’s key river crossings.
Under the contract, Skanska’s scope of work includes replacing the vessel protection system at the bascule piers and upgrading the bridge barrier. The company will also rehabilitate the superstructure of the approach spans and carry out substructure maintenance. In addition, secondary bridge components will be replaced as part of the broader modernization effort, which is designed to enhance durability and performance.
A major element of the project is the conversion of the existing 175-foot-long double-leaf bascule span into a new fixed-span structure. The fixed configuration is expected to eliminate a source of recurring traffic bottlenecks on the route. Project leaders anticipate that the reconfigured span, combined with safety and signage enhancements, will support a more streamlined and predictable travel experience for users.
Commenting on the program, Brook Brookshire, senior vice president and general manager for Skanska USA Civil’s Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions, noted that the new fixed span and accompanying safety measures are aimed at improving traffic flow and overall safety on the crossing. The project also reflects continued federal and local investment in aging transportation infrastructure.
Design work for the rehabilitation began in August 2026, with construction scheduled to start in early 2027. The construction timeline positions the project as a multi-year infrastructure initiative with long-term operational and maintenance implications for the corridor. The design and engineering team on the assignment includes AECOM and Genesis Structures, which are supporting Skanska in project delivery.
Once complete, the program is expected to significantly upgrade the structural condition of the Arland D. Williams Jr. Memorial Bridge while addressing existing operational constraints. For users of the I-395 northbound route between Arlington and the nation’s capital, the improvements are intended to reduce congestion at a key pinch point and support safer, clearer navigation across the Potomac River.
