WHAT/WHO: Mayor Vincent C. Gray, District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Director Terry Bellamy and U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez will participate in a ceremony to celebrate the completion of the 9th Street Bridge replacement project.

WHEN: Tuesday, July 26, 2011, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

WHERE: 9th Street NE near New York Avenue (southwest corner of bridge)
Washington, DC 20002

BACKGROUND:
The replacement of the 70-year-old 9th Street Bridge began in April 2009. The $40 million project replaced a span that had far outlived its intended service life with a new four-lane structure. The bridge carries an estimated 26,000 cars and trucks on a daily basis, connects New York and Rhode Island Avenues over railroad tracks and provides access to businesses along Brentwood Road. More information about the 9th Street Bridge Replacement Project is available at http://www.9thstreetbridge.org/. The District has a total of 230 highway bridges, pedestrian bridges, tunnels and underpasses. DDOT is responsible for constructing, maintaining and operating the District’s bridge infrastructure.