A $161 million contract has been issued for major rehabilitation work on a section of the George Washington Memorial Parkway/NPS file
A substantial rehabilitation of the northern section of the George Washington Memorial Parkway is moving ahead thanks to a $161 million slice of funds from the Great American Outdoors Act.
The contract, issued by the National Park Service in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, is the largest infrastructure project funded so far via the Great American Outdoors Act.
“The George Washington Memorial Parkway is more than just a road used by roughly 70,000 vehicles per day — it is critical infrastructure that helps millions of people connect to places to learn and recreate among the natural wonders along the Potomac River,” said Interior Secretary Deb Haaland in announcing the contract. “With major infrastructure funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Great American Outdoors Act, the important investments we are making today will ensure that future generations have sustainable and reliable infrastructure.”
“This project will improve the driving experience, safety, and water drainage while retaining and reviving the historic beauty and significance of the parkway – including opening scenic views to Washington, D.C.,” said Charles Cuvelier, George Washington Memorial Parkway superintendent.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law contains more than $30 billion in investments that fund Interior Department initiatives and benefit the communities it directly serves. In addition to historic funding for climate resiliency initiatives and legacy pollution clean-up, the law provides for a five-year reauthorization of the Federal Lands Transportation Program, which will help invest in repairing and upgrading National Park Service roads, bridges, trails and transit systems. The law also invests in projects that will help fund bridge replacements and resiliency, repair ferry boats and terminal facilities, and maintain wildlife crossings that keep people and surrounding wildlife safe.
George Washington Memorial Parkway is a scenic roadway honoring the nation’s first president. It preserves cultural and natural resources along the Potomac River from Great Falls to Mount Vernon. The northern section of the parkway – from Spout Run to Interstate 495 – is the busiest section of parkway and serves about 26 million drivers annually. This section, which opened in 1962, has never undergone a major rehabilitation.
The first phase of the project will be project design, and park visitors and drivers will experience little or no change to their routines, an Interior release said. Construction, which is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2023 and be completed in 2025, will impact drivers. Before construction begins, the NPS will provide detailed information to help drivers plan their trips.
The Great American Outdoors Act authorizes up to $1.6 billion annually for five years to fund deferred maintenance projects.
Comments
Sadly this beautiful parkway has turned into a major commuter route for DC workers ever since I-66 tolls went through the roof. Now, on a busy morning, it can cost more than $40 to drive the 8 miles between I495 & DC. Drivers looked elsewhere, and many found this parkway.
The increase in traffic has torn up the pavement and the grass, as the parkway has no shoulders. It is not uncommon to have cars fly by you going 75mph+ on a 50mph scenic parkway.
These repairs are long overdue.
This road was a commuter parking lot when I lived in NOVA 40 years ago. It (and the Baltimore/Washington Parkway) have no business falling under the NPS. VA, MD and DC should be paying for these not precious NPS resources.