National Park Service Announces Preservation Work at Memorial Avenue Corridor

Contact: [email protected]

McLean , Va. - The National Park Service will begin historic preservation work along the Memorial Avenue Corridor on March 19, 2026, with work expected to continue through mid- to late May.

This effort advances President Donald J. Trump's executive order, "Making the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful," and reflects a broader commitment to preserving the nation's most significant memorial landscapes. The project ensures these historic resources are protected, restored, and ready to be showcased as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary.

Crews will clean the Boundary Channel Bridge, repair deteriorating mortar, and restore key commemorative features, including the Seabees Memorial, the United Spanish War Veterans Memorial, and granite elements along the bridge and at Memorial Circle. Work will also focus on the structural bases supporting the iconic eagle statues.

Traffic and pedestrian impacts

The work will affect pedestrian access on the bridge and vehicle traffic under it.

Drivers will encounter lane closures on Washington Boulevard and the southbound George Washington Memorial Parkway under the bridge. Crews will close lanes during off-peak hours, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., to reduce commuter impacts, and will close half of the travel lanes at a time so they can work safely. Traffic control and signs will guide drivers through the area. Crews will clean the bridge with hot water, and it may drip or spray onto passing vehicles. No chemicals will be used, and water will not harm paint.

Crews will temporarily reroute pedestrians across Boundary Channel Bridge to crosswalks along Memorial Avenue between the Arlington National Cemetery Metro Station and Memorial Circle.

Drivers and pedestrians should use caution and follow posted signs and directions from traffic personnel. The National Park Service thanks the public for its patience during the work.

For updates on George Washington Memorial Parkway, visit www.nps.gov/gwmp.

- nps.gov -