(Washington, DC) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced the following weekend lanes closures and upcoming traffic pattern shifts:

1. 11th Street Bridge

The second lane from the right on the inbound 11th Street Bridge will be closed for repairs between 7 am and 7 pm this Saturday and Sunday, September 24-25 and, if needed, between 9:30 am and 3:30 pm on Monday, September 26.

In the event of inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances, the closure and work may be extended or rescheduled for the same hours the following weekend, October 1-2.

Throughout the work zone, access to the 12th Street ramp to M Street, SE will be kept open for freeway traffic via the bridge’s second lane from the left and for local traffic via the far right lane. Local traffic wishing to access the Southeast-Southwest Freeway must stay left when entering the bridge from the 13th Street ramp.

When traveling this area, motorists are advised to stay alert, be mindful of construction personnel and follow the posted speed limit. Traffic controls will be in place to warn motorists as they approach the area.

2. 14th Street Bridge

Traffic lanes on the southbound 14th Street Bridge will be closed overnight starting at 8:30 pm on Saturday, September 24 through 8 am on Sunday, September 25.

Construction crews will start with double lane closures overnight, moving to single lane closures by 5 am and continuing through 8 am, Sunday, September 25. Lane closures will start on the left side of the bridge and migrate right as the work is completed.

Crews will be continuing to install compression seals on joints of the bridge surface.

The right lane on the northbound portion of the 14th Street Bridge will be closed between 7 am and 12 pm on Saturday, September 24. The closure will start on the Virginia side of the Operator’s Tower.

Motorists entering from the northbound GW Parkway will need to merge left almost immediately.

This lane closure will facilitate work on Piers 4 & 14, under the bridge.

For more information on the 14th Street Bridge Rehabilitation Project, please visit the DDOT website.

3. Chain Bridge

Starting tonight at 8 pm the Chain Bridge will be closed this weekend - in addition to the previously announced weekend closures that are scheduled - to conduct structural repair work activities under the bridge deck.

Due to the cancelation of the September 9 weekend closure DDOT will be closing the bridge this weekend in order to make up for lost time and remain on schedule.

The on-going series of bridge repair related activities that are taking place under the bridge will continue to occur through Thursday, December 23, 2011 and require weekend closures.

During the following weekends the Chain Bridge will close starting at 8 pm on Friday and will reopen at 5 am the following Monday:

• September 23, 2011 – September 25, 2011
• September 30, 2011 – October 2, 2011
• October 7, 2011 – October 9, 2011
• October 21, 2011 – October 23, 2011
• October 28, 2011 – October 30, 2011
• November 18, 2011 – November 20, 2011
• December 2, 2011 – December 4, 2011
• December 16, 2011 – December 18, 2011

There will be no access to the bridge from either the District or Arlington. That includes cyclists and pedestrians because the sidewalk will also be closed. Thru traffic on Canal Road will not be obstructed, but motorists will not be able to turn onto Chain Bridge.

Motorists are advised to use alternate routes and river crossings including the American Legion, Key, Roosevelt, Memorial and 14th Street Bridges.

Variable Messages Boards are in place to warn drivers of the work ahead and re-direct them to alternative routes.

4. Pennsylvania Avenue, SE between Branch and Southern Avenues

As previously announced, beginning September 26, 2011, DDOT will be changing the traffic patterns on Pennsylvania Avenue, SE between Branch and Southern Avenues. These traffic pattern changes are required to complete major roadwork on the Pennsylvania Avenue Great Streets Project by the end of 2011.

Traffic between Branch Avenue and 38th Street will be reduced to one lane in each direction on Monday, September 26, 2011 through October 2011.

The portion of the project from 38th Street to Southern Avenue will be reduced to one lane in each direction from October 2011 through December 2011.

While these restrictions take place a single lane in each direction will be kept open on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Once the segments are rebuilt, the new lanes will be opened to allow for two lanes of traffic in each direction.

Work will take place between 7 am and 7 pm Monday through Saturday and construction work zones will be expanded as necessary. Sidewalks will be kept open and temporary crosswalks will be set up at intersections.

Traffic delays are anticipated and motorists are urged use an alternate route. Suggested alternate routes include:

• Suitland Road to Alabama Avenue to Good Hope Road
• Massachusetts Avenue to Minnesota Avenue

Variable Message Boards (VMS) will be set up throughout the impact area to alert motorists of any upcoming traffic changes.

For other traffic advisories please visit DDOT’s Traffic Alerts page or visit goDCgo.com for information on transportation options in the District