Francis Scott Key Bridge (Washington)

The Francis Scott Key Bridge, or, more commonly, the Key Bridge, is a reinforced concrete arch bridge conveying U.S. Highway 29 traffic across the Potomac River between the Rosslyn section of Arlington County, Virginia, and the Georgetown section of Washington, D.C. It was built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers between 1917 and 1923 and was named after Francis Scott Key, author of the Star Spangled Banner. The northern terminus of the bridge is just east of the site of Key's Georgetown home, which was later demolished; that site is now a community park honoring Key.

Related Topics:
Bridge - U.S. Highway 29 - Potomac River - Rosslyn - Arlington County, Virginia - Georgetown - Washington, D.C. - United States Army Corps of Engineers - 1917 - 1923 - Francis Scott Key - Star Spangled Banner

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At its southern (Virginia) terminus, the Key Bridge connects with North Lynn Street and, via that street, with Wilson Boulevard, the George Washington Memorial Parkway, Lee Highway, Interstate 66, and Virginia State Highway 110. At its northern (D.C.) terminus, the bridge connects with M Street, N.W., Canal Road, N.W., and the Whitehurst Freeway, which provides access to K Street downtown. The northbound span has an exit ramp to the eastbound Whitehurst Freeway; however, traffic from the westbound Whitehurst Freeway to the southbound span must use M Street.

Related Topics:
George Washington Memorial Parkway - Lee Highway - Interstate 66 - Virginia State Highway 110 - Canal Road - Whitehurst Freeway - K Street

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Due to the sometimes very bad traffic congestion on the bridge, some locals have jokingly refered to it as the "Car Strangled Spanner," a play off of Francis Scott Key's most famous song.

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Another bridge, also called the Francis Scott Key Bridge (and sometimes the Outer Harbor Crossing), crosses the Patapsco River near Baltimore, Maryland.

Related Topics:
Francis Scott Key Bridge - Patapsco River - Baltimore, Maryland

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