PROJECT BACKGROUND

The Monroe Street Bridge is a three-span prestressed concrete bridge supported by two concrete abutments and two reinforced concrete piers, all supported by shallow foundations. The bridge struc-ture carries Monroe Street NE over the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and CSX tracks as well as the Brookland-CUA Metro platform. The existing bridge is approximately 122 feet long and 66 feet wide.

The existing Monroe Street Bridge was built in 1931 and underwent a major rehabilitation in 1974. However the bridge’s deteriorated condition is such that it must be reconstructed rather than be repaired. The proposed design solution for reconstructing the bridge involves replacement of the aging and severely deteriorated superstructure with a new superstructure as well as rehabilitation of the existing substructure. 

The project limits extend along Monroe Street from 7th Street to 10th Street as shown in Exhibit 1.

Exhibit 1 – Project Limits

The majority of construction will take place between 8th and 9th Streets where the bridge spans the WMATA and CSX tracks. The new bridge will be a three-span steel superstructure supported by the rehabilitated piers and abutments (see Exhibit 2).

Exhibit 2 – New Three-Span Monroe Street Bridge

MAJOR IMPROVEMENT ITEMS

•    Superstructure replacement including improved fencing
•    Substructure rehabilitation and repair
•    New pedestrian lighting on the bridge
•    Traffic signal optimization
•    Relocation of power lines to underneath bridge and removal of Pepco poles between 8th and 9th       Streets
•    Sidewalk improvements along Monroe and 8th Streets
•    Landscape improvements along Monroe and 8th Streets

PROJECT COST

•    Preliminary Engineering - $1.6 million
•    Construction - $16 million

ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE 

•    Design Completion:   August 2016
•    Advertisement Date:  December 2016
•    Begin Construction:  Spring 2017