{"id":6853,"date":"2022-01-01T12:02:40","date_gmt":"2022-01-01T12:02:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.systra.com\/ibt\/?post_type=projects&p=6853"},"modified":"2026-02-19T01:06:46","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T01:06:46","slug":"frederick-douglass-memorial-bridge-washington-d-c","status":"publish","type":"projects","link":"https:\/\/www.systra.com\/ibt\/project\/frederick-douglass-memorial-bridge-washington-d-c\/","title":{"rendered":"Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge – Washington, D.C."},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Technical details<\/div>\n \t
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Customer<\/div>\n\t
District Department of Transportation<\/div>\n\t <\/div>\n
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Dates<\/div>\n

Construction Completed: 2022<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Localisation<\/div>\n
Washington, D.C.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Partners<\/div>\n
Contractor: South Capitol Bridgebuilders, a joint venture between Archer Western Construction LLC (Walsh Group) and Granite Construction Co., Prime Engineer: AECOM <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Activity<\/div>\n
SYSTRA IBT\u2019s Role: Independent Checking Engineer of the arch bridge structure.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Photo credit: District Department of Transportation<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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South Capitol Street Corridor Segment 1 main structure is the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge, a three-span arch bridge over the Anacostia River. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The total length is 1445 ft (440.6 m), with a main span of 540 ft (164.6 m) and side spans of 452 ft-6 in (138 m). The deck carries eight lanes (three lanes with one future additional lane in each direction) with a footpath on each side of the deck. The typical deck width is 122 ft-6 in (37.3 m) and reached 166 ft (50.6 m) at the pier location, where there is a pedestrian overlook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SYSTRA IBT served as the Independent Checking Engineer, conducting a comprehensive, independent analysis of the arch bridge structure based on the design plans and reports provided by the designers. This involved modeling the structure independently, verifying all components from the foundations to the arches, and conducting compliance reviews to ensure adherence to contractual requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Structural checks were carried out on a pass\/fail basis to maintain complete independence from the designer\u2019s calculations and assumptions. Specialized analyses covered deep foundations, both global and local arch instabilities, and construction sequencing and stability for both the arch ribs and the composite deck. In their role as the Independent Checking Engineer, SYSTRA IBT also participated in reviewing structurally significant changes or defects that arose during construction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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