Message LONG BRIDGEPROJECT PROGRESS&WHAT’SAHEADBUILDINGMOMENTUMNEWSLETTERSUMMER 2025 EDITIONMAKING TRACKSMAKING TRACKSBUILDING BRIDGES, TRANSFORMING RAIL
TABLE OFCONTENTS01Building MomentumLong Bridge Project Progress and What’s Ahead07This Is Who It TakesShirlene Cleveland’s Journey in Rail 09The Long BridgeA Historic Gateway Between Virginia and DC11Track FactDid You Know?12Let’s Stay Connected!Connect With The Project Team
TABLE OFCONTENTS01Building MomentumLong Bridge Project Progress and What’s Ahead07This Is Who It TakesShirlene Cleveland’s Journey in Rail 09The Long BridgeA Historic Gateway Between Virginia and DC11Track FactDid You Know?12Let’s Stay Connected!Connect With The Project Team
The Long Bridge Project is moving full steam ahead! Since our last update, significant strides have been made in preparation for full-scale construction. Here’s a look at recent milestones and what’s coming next.Geotechnical BoringsIn-river geotechnical borings is a process that involves drilling holes into the ground to collect samples of soil and bedrock to evaluate subsurface conditions, information that is essential for developing construction plans and ensuring the structural integrity of the future bridges. So far, three holes have been drilled in the Washington Channel in Southwest DC to support final design work. Over the coming months, two additional borings will take place near the Mount Vernon Trail and in the Potomac River in Arlington. New Activity Near the Mount Vernon Trail In Arlington, residents and trail users may observe increased construction activity near Gravelly Point as access points are established to support upcoming work in the area. These preparations are necessary to stage equipment and materials efficiently for future construction phases.Test Foundations – East Potomac ParkFoundation testing is currently underway in East Potomac Park, where crews are using a large drill rig and crane to test support systems like drilled shafts and micropiles, which are deep foundation elements placed underground to help hold up the bridge. This important work will continue through July 2025 and will help engineers finalize the design for the bridge’s foundation, ensuring it’s strong and stable for years to come.CONSTRUCTIONMILESTONESPROGRESSBUILDING MOMENTUMLONG BRIDGE PROJECT PROGRESSAND WHAT’S AHEADLarge Drill Rig Activity – East Potomac ParkCrane Operations – East Potomac ParkMAKING TRACKS | PAGE 01 MAKING TRACKS | PAGE 02The Long Bridge Project continues to advance with several early-phase construction activities underway in Washington, DC, and Arlington, Virginia. These efforts are critical to gathering data and preparing the site for future bridge construction.
The Long Bridge Project is moving full steam ahead! Since our last update, significant strides have been made in preparation for full-scale construction. Here’s a look at recent milestones and what’s coming next.Geotechnical BoringsIn-river geotechnical borings is a process that involves drilling holes into the ground to collect samples of soil and bedrock to evaluate subsurface conditions, information that is essential for developing construction plans and ensuring the structural integrity of the future bridges. So far, three holes have been drilled in the Washington Channel in Southwest DC to support final design work. Over the coming months, two additional borings will take place near the Mount Vernon Trail and in the Potomac River in Arlington. New Activity Near the Mount Vernon Trail In Arlington, residents and trail users may observe increased construction activity near Gravelly Point as access points are established to support upcoming work in the area. These preparations are necessary to stage equipment and materials efficiently for future construction phases.Test Foundations – East Potomac ParkFoundation testing is currently underway in East Potomac Park, where crews are using a large drill rig and crane to test support systems like drilled shafts and micropiles, which are deep foundation elements placed underground to help hold up the bridge. This important work will continue through July 2025 and will help engineers finalize the design for the bridge’s foundation, ensuring it’s strong and stable for years to come.CONSTRUCTIONMILESTONESPROGRESSBUILDING MOMENTUMLONG BRIDGE PROJECT PROGRESSAND WHAT’S AHEADLarge Drill Rig Activity – East Potomac ParkCrane Operations – East Potomac ParkMAKING TRACKS | PAGE 01 MAKING TRACKS | PAGE 02The Long Bridge Project continues to advance with several early-phase construction activities underway in Washington, DC, and Arlington, Virginia. These efforts are critical to gathering data and preparing the site for future bridge construction.
Brush Removal – Maine Avenue to I-395In March 2025, brush was cleared along the rail corridor between Maine Avenue and I-395 to prepare for upcoming rail construction. This work was carefully coordinated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to minimize impacts to rare, threatened, and endangered species. All clearing was conducted outside of the bat nesting season, further reducing potential environmental impact and ensuring compliance with federal wildlife protection guidelines.Vibration MonitoringVibration monitors were installed on key bridges in the project area, including the existing Long Bridge and I-395. These will track vibration data before, during,and after construction. Additional monitors will beinstalled on the George Washington MemorialParkway and the WMATA Yellow Line Bridges soon.Modifications to the existing railroad crash walls near Maryland Avenue have begun. While this work is an important part of the Long Bridge Project’s safety and structural improvements, it is expected to have minimal impact on the public. Construction activity will continue through Summer 2025.Maryland Avenue Overbuild – Crash Wall InstallationPublic EventsVPRA hosted several public meetings and attended events during the spring of 2025 that were critical to fostering transparency and ensuring that community voices are heard. Among them, the first quarterly Community Advisory Group (CAG) meeting for the Long Bridge Project, bringing together resident representatives, business owners, property managers, boaters, pedestrian and bicycle advocacy groups, special interest organizations, District agencies, and elected officials. Additionally, a public meeting designed specifically for businesses in the impacted areas was held to address the questions and potential concerns of owners and employees.Click HERE to view the video from our May 7 general public meeting, which focused on upcoming construction activities on Maine Avenue, SW and Maiden Lane, SW in the District.MAKING TRACKS | PAGE 03 MAKING TRACKS | PAGE 04VPRA Group Shot at Groundbreaking Ceremony Attendees of the May 7 Public Meeting at the Southwest Library in Washington, DCNaomi Klein (VPRA) presenting the project updates tomeeting attendees at VPRA’s May 7 Public Meeting
Brush Removal – Maine Avenue to I-395In March 2025, brush was cleared along the rail corridor between Maine Avenue and I-395 to prepare for upcoming rail construction. This work was carefully coordinated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to minimize impacts to rare, threatened, and endangered species. All clearing was conducted outside of the bat nesting season, further reducing potential environmental impact and ensuring compliance with federal wildlife protection guidelines.Vibration MonitoringVibration monitors were installed on key bridges in the project area, including the existing Long Bridge and I-395. These will track vibration data before, during,and after construction. Additional monitors will beinstalled on the George Washington MemorialParkway and the WMATA Yellow Line Bridges soon.Modifications to the existing railroad crash walls near Maryland Avenue have begun. While this work is an important part of the Long Bridge Project’s safety and structural improvements, it is expected to have minimal impact on the public. Construction activity will continue through Summer 2025.Maryland Avenue Overbuild – Crash Wall InstallationPublic EventsVPRA hosted several public meetings and attended events during the spring of 2025 that were critical to fostering transparency and ensuring that community voices are heard. Among them, the first quarterly Community Advisory Group (CAG) meeting for the Long Bridge Project, bringing together resident representatives, business owners, property managers, boaters, pedestrian and bicycle advocacy groups, special interest organizations, District agencies, and elected officials. Additionally, a public meeting designed specifically for businesses in the impacted areas was held to address the questions and potential concerns of owners and employees.Click HERE to view the video from our May 7 general public meeting, which focused on upcoming construction activities on Maine Avenue, SW and Maiden Lane, SW in the District.MAKING TRACKS | PAGE 03 MAKING TRACKS | PAGE 04VPRA Group Shot at Groundbreaking Ceremony Attendees of the May 7 Public Meeting at the Southwest Library in Washington, DCNaomi Klein (VPRA) presenting the project updates tomeeting attendees at VPRA’s May 7 Public Meeting
This work will require temporarily closing the direct access from Maine Avenue to Maiden Lane and remarking the northern section of Maiden Lane as a two-way street. Construction on Maine Avenue will require two temporary traffic patterns to maintain vehicle and pedestrian access and will include occasional nighttime lane closures and weekend detours. MAKING TRACKS | PAGE 05 MAKING TRACKS | PAGE 06Maiden Lane Two - Way OperationTRAFFIC PATTERN CHANGESCOMING TO MAINE AVENUEAND MAIDEN LANESpring2025Spring2026 2027Winter2028Spring2029Fall2030Maine Avenue/Maiden Lane Traffic Plans(Est. Fall 2025 – End of 2030)Travelers will see impacts on Maine Avenue and Maiden Lane during construction of the new four track rail bridge and new Maine Avenue pedestrian bridge. VPRA is developing a Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) plan to manage vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle travel during construction. Click here for an MOT summary overview 14TH STREET / US 1MAINE AVENUEMAIDEN LANEPEDESTRIAN BRIDGEN14TH STREET / US 1MAINE AVENUEMAIDEN LANEPEDESTRIAN BRIDGENMAINE AVENUE CONSTRUCTIONAREAS & SCHEDULEWESTBOUND CONSTRUCTION EASTBOUND CONSTRUCTION
This work will require temporarily closing the direct access from Maine Avenue to Maiden Lane and remarking the northern section of Maiden Lane as a two-way street. Construction on Maine Avenue will require two temporary traffic patterns to maintain vehicle and pedestrian access and will include occasional nighttime lane closures and weekend detours. MAKING TRACKS | PAGE 05 MAKING TRACKS | PAGE 06Maiden Lane Two - Way OperationTRAFFIC PATTERN CHANGESCOMING TO MAINE AVENUEAND MAIDEN LANESpring2025Spring2026 2027Winter2028Spring2029Fall2030Maine Avenue/Maiden Lane Traffic Plans(Est. Fall 2025 – End of 2030)Travelers will see impacts on Maine Avenue and Maiden Lane during construction of the new four track rail bridge and new Maine Avenue pedestrian bridge. VPRA is developing a Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) plan to manage vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle travel during construction. Click here for an MOT summary overview 14TH STREET / US 1MAINE AVENUEMAIDEN LANEPEDESTRIAN BRIDGEN14TH STREET / US 1MAINE AVENUEMAIDEN LANEPEDESTRIAN BRIDGENMAINE AVENUE CONSTRUCTIONAREAS & SCHEDULEWESTBOUND CONSTRUCTION EASTBOUND CONSTRUCTION
MAKING TRACKS | PAGE 07 MAKING TRACKS | PAGE 08THIS IS WHO IT TAKESSHIRLENE CLEVELAND’S JOURNEY IN RAILFUN FACTOnce the Long Bridge Project is complete, Shirlene plans to travel the world, taking on epic hikes before she’s “too old to do them.” One of her biggest personal goals? Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro — hopefully with her family by her side.We are excited to introduce “This is Who It Takes,” a new feature of Making Tracks spotlighting the people behind the project. In this inaugural edition, we shine a light on Shirlene Cleveland, our Senior Director, who is dedicated to public outreach with twenty years' experience managing large-scale infrastructure projects in the Washington, DC, region. Her passion for enhancing regional connectivity and her unwavering commitment to community engagement have been pivotal in driving the project’s progress.Every major infrastructure project needs strong leadership, and for the Long Bridge Project, that leadership comes from Shirlene Cleveland. As Senior Director, Shirlene ensures that the project stays on time, on budget, and up to the highest quality standards, all while honoring commitments to stakeholders.Shirlene’s journey in the rail industry began with a passion for problem-solving and a drive to break barriers. Over the years, she has taken on roles that challenge her, from project management to operations oversight, ensuring that every detail aligns with safety and efficiency standards.Shirlene providing a Long Bridge Project update to the mediaShirlene on a recent trip to the Acatenango Volcano in GuatemalaWhat she loves most about her work is building high-performing teams that achieve amazing results. “The Long Bridge Project is so incredibly complex. Therefore, it requires a wide range of skilled people all working in concert to create the project’s vision,” states Shirlene. “Developing a safe space where people want to achieve great things is really thrilling. Collaboration, effective communication, accountability, trust, and respect are the key features of a high-performing team.”Shirlene’s passion for transformative projects began early in her career on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project, which built a major I-95 crossing over the Potomac River. The experience of working with a motivated team on such a massive endeavor left a lasting impact—one she has strived to recreate on Long Bridge. Before this role, she also led the rail and stations construction for Phase 2 of WMATA’s Silver Line extension.The Long Bridge Project is more than building a structure—it’s a testament to the people who bring it to life. Shirlene Cleveland exemplifies the dedication behind every milestone, ensuring progress with her hard work and commitment to public service.
MAKING TRACKS | PAGE 07 MAKING TRACKS | PAGE 08THIS IS WHO IT TAKESSHIRLENE CLEVELAND’S JOURNEY IN RAILFUN FACTOnce the Long Bridge Project is complete, Shirlene plans to travel the world, taking on epic hikes before she’s “too old to do them.” One of her biggest personal goals? Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro — hopefully with her family by her side.We are excited to introduce “This is Who It Takes,” a new feature of Making Tracks spotlighting the people behind the project. In this inaugural edition, we shine a light on Shirlene Cleveland, our Senior Director, who is dedicated to public outreach with twenty years' experience managing large-scale infrastructure projects in the Washington, DC, region. Her passion for enhancing regional connectivity and her unwavering commitment to community engagement have been pivotal in driving the project’s progress.Every major infrastructure project needs strong leadership, and for the Long Bridge Project, that leadership comes from Shirlene Cleveland. As Senior Director, Shirlene ensures that the project stays on time, on budget, and up to the highest quality standards, all while honoring commitments to stakeholders.Shirlene’s journey in the rail industry began with a passion for problem-solving and a drive to break barriers. Over the years, she has taken on roles that challenge her, from project management to operations oversight, ensuring that every detail aligns with safety and efficiency standards.Shirlene providing a Long Bridge Project update to the mediaShirlene on a recent trip to the Acatenango Volcano in GuatemalaWhat she loves most about her work is building high-performing teams that achieve amazing results. “The Long Bridge Project is so incredibly complex. Therefore, it requires a wide range of skilled people all working in concert to create the project’s vision,” states Shirlene. “Developing a safe space where people want to achieve great things is really thrilling. Collaboration, effective communication, accountability, trust, and respect are the key features of a high-performing team.”Shirlene’s passion for transformative projects began early in her career on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project, which built a major I-95 crossing over the Potomac River. The experience of working with a motivated team on such a massive endeavor left a lasting impact—one she has strived to recreate on Long Bridge. Before this role, she also led the rail and stations construction for Phase 2 of WMATA’s Silver Line extension.The Long Bridge Project is more than building a structure—it’s a testament to the people who bring it to life. Shirlene Cleveland exemplifies the dedication behind every milestone, ensuring progress with her hard work and commitment to public service.
MAKING TRACKS | PAGE 09 MAKING TRACKS | PAGE 10For more than two centuries, the Long Bridge has played a vital role in connecting Virginia and the District of Columbia. Established in 1808 by an Act of Congress signed by President Thomas Jefferson, it began as a toll crossing over the Potomac River, originally serving only foot, horse, and stagecoach traffic. The bridge was repeatedly damaged over its first 50 years by battles and had to be reconstructed in various locations nearby.By the mid-1850s, the bridge became a key link for the railroad industry. However, without physical tracks in place, goods had to be transferred from train cars to horse-drawn wagons to cross the river. In the 1860s, rails were finally added, but concerns arose over the structure’s weight capacity. To accommodate growing demand, a stronger, parallel bridge was built in 1863, allowing for heavier locomotives and freight cars.As the Potomac River shoreline transformed in the late 19th century—creating landmarks like East and West Potomac Park and the Tidal Basin—the Long Bridge evolved too. By the late 1800s, it served trolley service and accommodated over 250 daily train crossings.In 1904, a steel truss bridge replaced the original structure, providing the alignment still recognized today. Upgrades during World War II strengthened the bridge to handle heavier military cargo. While its swing span ceased operation in 1969, the Long Bridge remains a crucial transportation link, standing as a testament to history and progress.THE LONG BRIDGEA HISTORIC GATEWAY BETWEENVIRGINIA AND DCLong Bridge 1808 courtesy of DDOT website
MAKING TRACKS | PAGE 09 MAKING TRACKS | PAGE 10For more than two centuries, the Long Bridge has played a vital role in connecting Virginia and the District of Columbia. Established in 1808 by an Act of Congress signed by President Thomas Jefferson, it began as a toll crossing over the Potomac River, originally serving only foot, horse, and stagecoach traffic. The bridge was repeatedly damaged over its first 50 years by battles and had to be reconstructed in various locations nearby.By the mid-1850s, the bridge became a key link for the railroad industry. However, without physical tracks in place, goods had to be transferred from train cars to horse-drawn wagons to cross the river. In the 1860s, rails were finally added, but concerns arose over the structure’s weight capacity. To accommodate growing demand, a stronger, parallel bridge was built in 1863, allowing for heavier locomotives and freight cars.As the Potomac River shoreline transformed in the late 19th century—creating landmarks like East and West Potomac Park and the Tidal Basin—the Long Bridge evolved too. By the late 1800s, it served trolley service and accommodated over 250 daily train crossings.In 1904, a steel truss bridge replaced the original structure, providing the alignment still recognized today. Upgrades during World War II strengthened the bridge to handle heavier military cargo. While its swing span ceased operation in 1969, the Long Bridge remains a crucial transportation link, standing as a testament to history and progress.THE LONG BRIDGEA HISTORIC GATEWAY BETWEENVIRGINIA AND DCLong Bridge 1808 courtesy of DDOT website
MAKING TRACKS | PAGE 11 MAKING TRACKS | PAGE 12Boost your construction know-how with key definitions and fun facts! Keep them in mind—you’ll be hearing them again as the project progresses!Passenger trains in the U.S. typically run on tracks shared with freight trains—making projects like the Long Bridge expansion essential for smoother operations. By constructing two additional railroad tracks, the project will allow freight and passenger rail to operate on separate corridors. The Long Bridge currently carries more than 70 trains daily, making it one of the most critical rail corridors on the East Coast. This includes Amtrak long distance trains, Virginia Railway Express, freight trains, and our own Amtrak Virginia state-supported service.TRACKFACTDID YOU KNOW?Rendering of Existing Rail Bridge (left) andPlanned Rail Bridge (right) over the Potomac River.LET’S STAY CONNECTED!KEEP IN TOUCH WITHTHE PROJECT TEAM@VAPassengerRail @vapassengerrail@VAPassengerRailVirginia Passenger Rail Authority @VAPassengerRailwww.LongBridgeProject.cominfo@longbridgeproject.com(202) 769-1808
MAKING TRACKS | PAGE 11 MAKING TRACKS | PAGE 12Boost your construction know-how with key definitions and fun facts! Keep them in mind—you’ll be hearing them again as the project progresses!Passenger trains in the U.S. typically run on tracks shared with freight trains—making projects like the Long Bridge expansion essential for smoother operations. By constructing two additional railroad tracks, the project will allow freight and passenger rail to operate on separate corridors. The Long Bridge currently carries more than 70 trains daily, making it one of the most critical rail corridors on the East Coast. This includes Amtrak long distance trains, Virginia Railway Express, freight trains, and our own Amtrak Virginia state-supported service.TRACKFACTDID YOU KNOW?Rendering of Existing Rail Bridge (left) andPlanned Rail Bridge (right) over the Potomac River.LET’S STAY CONNECTED!KEEP IN TOUCH WITHTHE PROJECT TEAM@VAPassengerRail @vapassengerrail@VAPassengerRailVirginia Passenger Rail Authority @VAPassengerRailwww.LongBridgeProject.cominfo@longbridgeproject.com(202) 769-1808