American Legion Bridge

Va. still warning against recreation on Potomac River in Fairfax County

Published March 6, 2026 at 8:30AM

Kayakers on Potomac River at Great Falls Park (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Though DC Water has lifted its advisory warning against recreational activities on the Potomac River, Virginia health officials are remaining cautious after millions of gallons of raw sewage spilled into the water earlier this year.

The Virginia Department of Health announced yesterday (Thursday) that it has lifted a recreational water advisory for the river from Chain Bridge (Glebe Road) in Arlington to the Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge in King George County, but it remains in place for a 4.7-mile stretch upstream from Chain Bridge to the American Legion Bridge (I-495) in Fairfax County.

News

Fairfax board, Trump admin in sync on expediting upgrades to American Legion Bridge

By Scott McCaffrey

Published February 5, 2026 at 9:15AM

Traffic entering and leaving Maryland on the American Legion Bridge on Nov. 8, 2025 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has found itself aligned with the Trump administration on one issue: the need to update the American Legion Bridge.

The span over the Potomac River connecting Fairfax County with Montgomery County, Maryland, is “a critical transportation link,” but at more than 60 years old, it needs immediate attention, Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman said when the board met on Tuesday (Feb. 3).

News

Trump administration pushes for action on American Legion Bridge rebuild

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 17, 2025 at 10:00AM

Traffic entering and leaving Maryland on the American Legion Bridge on Nov. 8, 2025 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Like many local and state officials in Virginia, the Trump administration appears to be growing impatient with a perceived lack of progress by Maryland to replace the American Legion Memorial Bridge.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced last week (Dec. 9) that the Federal Highway Administration will seek feedback and proposals on ways to accelerate the delivery of a new bridge in the hopes of relieving congestion on the Capital Beltway (I-495/I-270).

News

Local leaders want to maintain pressure on Maryland over American Legion Bridge

By Scott McCaffrey

Published December 12, 2024 at 9:00AM

Traffic heads from McLean into Maryland on the American Legion Bridge (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Virginia leaders plan to keep prodding their Maryland counterparts in the direction of revitalizing the American Legion Bridge to both ease existing congestion and provide additional transit options.

At a Dec. 5 forum sponsored by the Dulles Area Transit Association (DATA), Northern Virginia leaders acknowledged being irked by Maryland’s more cautious approach to addressing the transportation bottleneck.

News

Maryland surveys McLean to plan for new American Legion Bridge

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 4, 2024 at 9:30AM

The American Legion Bridge heading into Virginia (via MDOT)

Transportation staff from Maryland crossed the Potomac River last week to gather data in McLean for their long-planned American Legion Bridge replacement project.

According to a notice shared by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) sent a field team last Thursday (May 30) to investigate the drainage along Live Oak Drive.