Norton Celebrates House Passage of Long Bridge Project Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) celebrated House passage today of the Long Bridge Act of 2020, which would authorize the National Park Service to transfer land necessary for the Long Bridge Project to the District of Columbia and Virginia. The project will create a new rail bridge and a new bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the Potomac River connecting D.C. and Virginia. Norton worked on the bill with sponsor Representative Rob Wittman (R-VA) and other members of the Virginia and Maryland delegations.

"As a regional hub, D.C.'s transit needs are interwoven with those of our regional partners," Norton said. "For example, 75% of D.C.'s health care workers live in Virginia and Maryland. Projects and success stories like the passage of the Long Bridge Act are integral to developing robust interjurisdictional transportation systems for commuters, tourists and freight entering D.C.

"As the chair of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, I am leading the effort in the House to combat climate change caused by the transportation sector. This bill expands rail, bike and pedestrian connections between the District and Virginia, providing freight, commuters and tourists greater opportunities for green mobility. I thank my colleagues in the House for their work on this bill, and I look forward to further collaboration to provide robust infrastructure investments for the national capital region."

Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) have introduced companion legislation.