Cable stayed option: Stayed bascule option: Arched bascule option: Retractile option:

Stadiums aren’t the only big public projects slated for South Capitol Street. The city is planning a monumental new bridge over the Anacostia River as well. Four alternate designs have been released by engineers. Each would cost somewhere in the vicinity of $250 million, be movable to allow ships sailing in and out of Washington Navy Yard to get through, and realign with surface streets, eliminating the raised viaduct leading up to the bridge in favor of a more urban, pedestrian-friendly layout that would interact with the new Nationals ballpark.

Though all four alternatives are attractive, the cable-stayed option alone has the potential to dramatically enhance Washington’s skyline and highlight the Anacostia waterfront. All other things being equal, if the goal here is to draw attention to a new sector of the city, that is the choice to make.

Click the images at right for illustrative movies showing each option in detail.