Today, a ceremonial groundbreaking for the restoration of the northern section of the George Washington Memorial Parkway took place with participation from federal and local elected officials, National Park Service (NPS) Director Chuck Sams, Tim Hess, Associate Administrator for Federal Lands for the Federal Highway Administration, and others.
One of the greatest infrastructure initiatives supported by the Great American Outdoors Act is the around $161 million project.
More than 70,000 vehicles use the parkway daily, which is run by the NPS and connects visitors to a wealth of recreational possibilities along the Potomac River.
Construction on its rehabilitation, which will be done in collaboration with the Federal Highway Administration, is anticipated to begin this August.
According to Secretary Deb Haaland, “This historic investment in the parkway will improve visitor safety, preserve the historic design of the route, and ensure that future generations can utilise and enjoy this gorgeous roadway.”
“The Biden-Harris administration is demonstrating our concerted effort to address extensive deferred maintenance and repairs that will support good paying jobs, safeguard the environment, and help ensure that we are prepared to meet the challenges of climate change through investments from the Great American Outdoors Act, President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and other construction funding sources.
That’s right, it’s Infrastructure Week every week!”
The George Washington Memorial Parkway is a beautiful road that honours the founding father of the country.
From Great Falls to Mount Vernon, it protects the Potomac River’s natural and cultural treasures.
The busiest part of the parkway is in the north, running from Spout Run to Interstate 495, and it sees around 26 million drivers a year.
Since the parkway’s completion in 1962, this project represents the first attempt at repair.
While maintaining and reviving the parkway’s historic beauty and significance, the project involves replacing the asphalt pavement and roadway drainage system, redesigning some of the Route 123 interchanges, repairing storm-water management systems, and lengthening entrance and exit lanes at some interchanges.
“The George Washington Memorial Parkway is much more than a parkway; it links millions of tourists with locations for learning, entertainment, and relaxation just outside our national capital, “said Chuck Sams, director of NPS.
The National Park Service is extending options for visitors to enjoy their public lands in addition to improving infrastructure thanks to funding from the Great American Outdoors Act.
The massive backlog of postponed maintenance and repairs on public lands is being addressed in part under the Great American Outdoors Act.
The fund, which is funded by royalties from the energy sector, offers up to $1.3 billion annually for five years to undertake significant improvements in national parks to secure their preservation and provide possibilities for leisure, education, and enjoyment for present and future visitors.
Beginning with temporary road expansion in the medium along the northbound travel lanes and on two bridges between Route 123 and Spout Run, construction on the George Washington Memorial Parkway will take place in stages.
Drivers and park visitors will be impacted by construction throughout the renovation.
There will always be at least one lane of traffic open in each direction. It is predicted that the project will be finished in late 2025.