South Capitol Bridgebuilders, a joint venture comprised of Archer Western and Granite Construction Co., was awarded the South Capitol Street Corridor Phase 1 design-build contract by the District of Columbia Department of Transportation (DDOT).

The new bridge will include six vehicle lanes. Archer Western holds a 50 percent share of the joint venture that will be responsible for constructing the $441 million project, with AECOM serving as lead designer.

The South Capitol Corridor Project, one of Washington D.C.'s largest public infrastructure projects in history, includes replacing the existing Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge over the Anacostia River.

The scope of work includes building two new approach ovals and reconstructing a portion of I-295 adjacent to the new bridge. When complete, the bridge will have six lanes and improved accommodations for bicycle and pedestrian traffic.

Three arches will span the Anacostia River.Other project elements include:

• Reconstructing South Capitol Street as a six-lane boulevard with an improved streetscape from the traffic oval to Independence Avenue SE/SW and an at-grade intersection at M Street, SE
• Creating a new at-grade traffic circle east of the river that connects South Capitol Street, Suitland Parkway and Howard Road, SE
• Constructing a new Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Suitland Parkway interchange Road, SE
• Improving drainage and storm water management throughout the corridor.

Construction is scheduled to begin by the end of 2017 and last through 2021.