Wind engineering for a safe, award-winning bridge
Spanning the Anacostia River in Washington D.C., the new Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge replaces its 1950 namesake with a striking through arch design supported by three elegant arches. The structure includes three traffic lanes in each direction and dedicated pedestrian and cyclist paths. RWDI supported the bridge’s development with a comprehensive suite of wind engineering studies to ensure aerodynamic stability and pedestrian comfort throughout construction and operation. Completed in 2021, the bridge has since become a landmark in the city and was recognized with the Eugene C. Figg Jr Medal for Signature Bridges in 2023.