Enlightened Stewardship: Major Highway Projects Need Not Conflict with the Environment

Environmental management is a key element in the $2.4 billion Woodrow Wilson drawbridge on I-95. Located on the Potomac River, construction is taking place in a setting of fragile wetlands and tributaries, so an environmental management plan was part of the initial planning for the project, which is sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration, the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Maryland State Highway Administration and the District of Columbia Department of Transportation. Three teams comprised the environmental management group: a leadership team to coordinate agency activities, a mitigation team to manage the enhancement contractors who are planting trees, underwater grasses, and restoring wetlands and streambeds as part of the $65 million mitigation project, and an inspection team to monitor conditions where the bridge and interchanges are built. A crossing site with the lowest environmental impact was chosen, along with a design that uses twin side-by-side bridges complemented by four rebuilt interchanges and Capital Beltway improvements. Foundation construction included the use of innovative techniques such as air bubble curtains to protect river fish from the impact of pile driving. Evidence of the project's sensitivity is the successful hatching and fledging of five generations of bald eagles and the creation of an 84-acre bald eagle sanctuary.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/19451392
• Authors:
  • Ruddell, James T
  • Baker, Michael S
• Publication Date: 2005-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: pp 37-39
• Serial:
  • Transportation Builder
  • Volume: 17
  • Issue Number: 7
  • Publisher: American Road & Transportation Builders Association
  • ISSN: 1043-4054

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Environmental design; Environmental protection
• Identifier Terms: Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge
• Subject Areas: Design; Energy; Environment; Highways; I15: Environment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01014991
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: UC Berkeley Transportation Library
• Files: BTRIS, TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 3 2006 9:02AM