Photographs of the Bridges
Theodore Roosevelt Bridge, Washington, DC
The Theodore Roosevelt Bridge is an example of one of the mid-century interstate highway bridges in Washington, DC, that was constructed only to carry commuting traffic without any attempt at aesthetics or commemoration. Constructed in 1960, the bridge is an extremely unattractive steel-plate girder highway bridge, which would be unfortunate in any location. However, it is not in just any random location. It is in the monumental core of the Nation’s Capital, plainly visible from Arlington Memorial Bridge, crossing directly across the terrace and the River Pavilion of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and passing directly over hiking trails on the southern tip of Theodore Roosevelt Island. Adding insult to injury, the bridge is unkempt. It is rusted, with white paint peeling from its side, revealing large irregular, rusting patches. It has been undergoing renovation in 2026, with expansion of the sidewalks and painting of the deck, which will certainly be an improvement.
There is a dedication plaque to Theodore Roosevelt, but it is located on the trail that passes beneath the eastern end of the bridge, and is not visible to drivers.
The bridge does have a narrow sidewalk, which is unusual on interstate highway bridges. Connecting the outdoor terraces of Kennedy Center to the Mount Vernon bike trail and hiking trails on Roosevelt Island, the sidewalk supports the system of recreational trails in the city. Even though the bridge itself is very unattractive, the sidewalk, which is on the north side of the bridge, provides a nice view of the Kennedy Center, Roosevelt Island, the Boundary Channel, Key Bridge, and Georgetown University.
The bridge was constructed over the objections of both the National Park Service and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, the agencies entrusted to maintain the visual aesthetics of structures in the District. A survey of Washington’s bridges by Myer referred to the bridge as the city’s “most criticized”.
I have been criticizing the bridge, and fantasizing the benefits that could come from a replacement bridge, for years. I discussed it in detail in my 2022 book, Bridgespotting: A Guide to Bridges that Connect People, Places, and Times. There is also a detailed discussion of the bridge in my new book, Bridges of Washington, DC: A History and Guide.
