Interstate 395 (District of Columbia–Virginia)

Interstate 395 (District of Columbia–Virginia) is a major north–south auxiliary Interstate Highway that provides a critical commuter and trucking corridor between Northern Virginia and downtown Washington, D.C. The route begins at the Springfield Interchange with Interstate 95 and Interstate 495 and travels north, crossing the Potomac River via the 14th Street Bridge complex before terminating near the United States Capitol. It is a vital link for traffic to and from the Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery, and numerous federal agencies.

Route description

Traveling north from the massive Springfield Interchange, the highway passes through Springfield, Virginia and enters the Shirley Highway corridor. It runs concurrently with Virginia Route 110 near The Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery, offering direct access to these landmarks. The route then crosses the Potomac River on the 14th Street Bridge, entering the District of Columbia near the Jefferson Memorial. In Washington, D.C., it transitions into the Center Leg Freeway, a sunken roadway that passes beneath the National Mall and terminates at a junction with New York Avenue and U.S. Route 1, providing direct access to the United States Capitol and the downtown core.

History

The roadway originated as part of the Shirley Highway, one of the first limited-access highways in Virginia, constructed in the 1940s. It was incorporated into the Interstate Highway System in the 1950s as part of the planned route for Interstate 95 into Washington, D.C.. Due to opposition to the proposed Three Sisters Bridge and the North Central Freeway, the planned I-95 route through the city was canceled, leading to the redesignation of this segment as Interstate 395 in 1977. Major reconstruction projects, including the rebuilding of the Springfield Interchange and the replacement of the 14th Street Bridge following the 1982 Air Florida Flight 90 disaster, have shaped its modern form.

Major intersections

From south to north, key junctions include the Springfield Interchange with Interstate 95 and Interstate 495 in Springfield, Virginia. It meets Virginia Route 644 (Duke Street) in Alexandria and has a major interchange with Virginia Route 110 and Virginia Route 27 providing access to The Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery. After crossing the Potomac River, it intersects with Independence Avenue and Maine Avenue in the District of Columbia, before terminating at New York Avenue.

Auxiliary routes

The primary auxiliary route associated with this corridor is Virginia Route 110, a short spur providing direct access to The Pentagon and Rosslyn. In the District of Columbia, the roadway functionally serves as the mainline for the Center Leg Freeway, with its northern continuation sometimes referenced in planning as part of the canceled Interstate 95 corridor. The Springfield Interchange also provides direct connections to Interstate 495 and Virginia Route 644.

See also

* Interstate 95 in Virginia * Interstate 495 (Capital Beltway) * Shirley Highway * 14th Street Bridge * Springfield Interchange * Center Leg Freeway

Category:Interstate Highways in Virginia Category:Transportation in Washington, D.C. Category:Transportation in Arlington County, Virginia