Two Things Challenge: Over / Under

Key Bridge over the Potomac River

This week's Two Things Challenge was Over / Under. I chose as my subject Key Bridge. Located at the northern end of Georgetown, Key Bridge was built between 1917 and 1923 by the Army Corps of Engineers and connects the District of Columbia on the northern side with the Commonwealth of Virginia on the southern side. Named for Francis Scott Key, author of "The Star-Spangled Banner", it is one of five bridges that cross the Potomac into the District from Virginia and vice versa.

Standing under Key Bridge, looking up

In addition, to the north of Key Bridge is Chain Bridge. South of Key Bridge is Roosevelt Bridge, Memorial Bridge, and the 14th Street Bridge. According to Wikipedia, when Key Bridge is congested, as it often is, some people refer to it as the "Car Strangled Spanner." I think that's a great name for it, but it hasn't really caught on. Shame really. A lot of people who work in D.C., but live in Virginia, walk home along this beautiful bridge. Unlike other bridges in the U.S., which are a magnet for the suicidal, this one is relatively lacking in notoriety. Occasionally someone will take a dive off of it, but thankfully it's quite rare.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 08/08

Annapolis: World War II Memorial

Maryland's World War II Memorial:
Honoring the 6,454 Marylanders who gave their lives in the war

On my way home from Maryland's Eastern Shore a couple of weeks ago, I took a detour to Annapolis. This time, I approached the city from Exit 27, which I'd never done before. What I discovered were two things. First, it's easier to get into Annapolis via this exit then via Exit 24 and, second, it takes you right past Maryland's World War II Memorial. It's the latter that is the subject of today's entry.

The Stars and Stripes and the Maryland State Flag
waving majestically in the breeze above the World War II Memorial

In 1991, the Maryland State Legislature commissioned the creation of the World War II Memorial Commission. Land at the western end of MD 450/Gov. Ritchie Hwy. was designated as the site for the memorial and ground was broken in October 1997. The site for the memorial is on the banks of Severn River, which empties into the Chesapeake Bay, and includes a lovely vista of the capital city of Annapolis and the United States Naval Academy on the western banks of the river and the bay.

World War II Memorial looking west across the Severn River to Annapolis.
The dome to the left of the flag poles is the Naval Academy Chapel.
The dome in the center between the flag poles is the Maryland State House.

According to the Commission's website, the memorial was "designed by New York architect Secundino Fernandez...[and] consists of a rectangular amphitheater surrounded by columns and granite slabs inscribed with the names of 6,454 Marylanders who died in World War II. Stone panels and mosaic circles further depict Maryland's role in the War." The memorial was completed in 1998 and dedicated in July of that year.

Naval Academy Memorial Bridge
over the Severn River, Annapolis, Maryland

The bridge over the Severn that leads into Annapolis is the Naval Academy Memorial Bridge--a slick and easy way to get right into the heart of Annapolis. The above photo is the underside of the bridge. I was going for line of sight practice more than anything!

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 4/08

Bay Bridge

Chesapeake Bay Bridge looking southeast from Sandy Point State Park

Spanning the Chesapeake in Maryland is the William Preston Lane, Jr., Memorial (Bay) Bridge. Approved for construction in 1927, the bridge was delayed for more than 20 years as a result of the Great Depression and World War II. Finally, in 1949 building commenced and was finished in 1952. Upon completion, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge was the longest fixed-span bridge of its time in the world at 4.3 miles. The original first span was two lanes wide and cost $45 million to build. Today, this span carries traffic eastbound and is the primary route from Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Annapolis, and points west of the bridge to the shores of Maryland and Delaware.

In 1969 construction commenced on a second span--this one to carry traffic westbound--and was completed in 1937 at a cost of $148 million. The westbound span is three lanes wide. During the evening rush hour, one of the lanes is reversed and heads eastbound to accommodate higher traffic volume. (The picture to the left is of the three-lane, westbound span with all lanes open.)

Over the years, the bridge has weathered several hurricanes and high wind storms with little or no damage. Occasionally, drivers fail to obey the speed limits on the bridge or improperly secure trailers and spectacular, horrific accidents have resulted. The most recent was in 2007 and involved seven cars and resulted in three deaths. In 2008, the bridge saw approximately 28 million cars cross its spans. (The photo on the right shows traffic on the westbound span with the eastbound span to the left.)

For those who enjoy bridge walks, the Bay Bridge holds an annual event that draws walkers from all over the Washington-Baltimore Metropolitan Area. The walk has been canceled for 2008 and 2009, though, due to preservation projects currently underway, but when the weather cooperates, it's suppose to be a great way to see the bridge and the bay!

Chesapeake Bay Bridge from the parking lot of Northrup Grumman looking east

Click on the images to enlarge them.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 4/08