Long Bridge Replacement Charges Ahead, and Our Bearings Will Carry It Into the Next Century
Summer 2025 Project Update from R.J. Watson, Inc.
The Long Bridge Replacement has moved from drawings to reality. Crews for the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority are working on both sides of the Potomac to prepare for a brand-new two-track rail span that will double corridor capacity and transform Mid-Atlantic travel. When the steel girders rise, the North Package will rest on multirotational disc bearings engineered and manufactured by us at R.J. Watson and installed by Skanska/Flatiron.
What We See on Site Right Now
- Geotechnical borings and test foundations
In-river borings in the Washington Channel are complete, and additional drilling near the Mount Vernon Trail and mid-river will finalize foundation design. At East Potomac Park, a drilled-shaft and micropile test program runs through July 2025. - Environmental and safety preparations
Brush clearing along the corridor wrapped up in March, timed around wildlife-protection windows. A comprehensive vibration-monitoring network is now live on neighboring bridges. - Structural hardening
Crash-wall upgrades at Maryland Avenue are under way to add another layer of resilience to the corridor. - Community outreach
VPRA’s Community Advisory Group met for the first time this spring, and public meetings keep neighbors informed as activity increases.
Two Centuries of Bridge Progress
| Year | Milestone |
| 1808 | Congress charters the Washington Bridge Company; President Jefferson authorizes the first timber Long Bridge. |
| 1814 | British and U.S. forces burn opposite ends of the bridge during the War of 1812. |
| 1863 | A sturdier parallel span carries full-weight locomotives, supporting Union war logistics. |
| 1904 | The current thirteen-span steel truss opens and becomes the region’s rail lifeline. |
| 1943 | Wartime traffic prompts major strengthening with deeper plate girders. |
| 2019 | Virginia and CSX sign a $3.7 billion agreement that clears the way for a new passenger-rail bridge. |
| 2024–2030 | VPRA’s replacement program adds two new tracks and a fourteen-foot-wide bike and pedestrian bridge. |
Why the Project Matters and How We Contribute
- The 1904 bridge carries more than seventy trains each day on just two tracks.
- Doubling the track count will boost passenger capacity by nearly eighty percent and separate freight from commuter service for better reliability.
- A dedicated bike and pedestrian bridge will link the Mount Vernon Trail to the National Mall.
- Regional economic studies forecast billions of dollars in output and thousands of jobs.
Our bearings make the difference
- High load capacity
Each unit carries vertical loads over while accommodating horizontal forces, rotation and thermal movement. - Low maintenance
PTFE sliding surfaces deliver decades of service with minimal upkeep. - Just-in-time delivery
We will ship bearings in sequenced lots that match the steel-girder erection schedule beginning in 2026.
What Comes Next
| Year | Key Milestone |
| 2026 | Major superstructure contracts award, and our fabrication line shifts into high gear. |
| 2027–2029 | R.J. Watson bearings are installed as spans launch over the Potomac. |
| 2030 | The new passenger bridge and bike and pedestrian span open, while the historic 1904 bridge continues in freight service, both crossings supported by our technology. |
We are proud to play a central role in the largest rail investment this region has seen in more than a century. Making bridges better. It is what we do.
For media inquiries or details about our bearing solutions, contact sales@rjwatson.com.
