Three consortia are competing in the tender process for the American Legion Bridge replacement in the US. Linking Maryland and Virginia, the bridge carries I-495 over the Potomac River and opened to traffic in 1962. However, traffic volumes have increased 390% since the bridge was opened and even with five lanes in either direction, it is no longer able to cope with the 235,000 vehicles/day it has to cope with, resulting in delays at peak periods.
The proposed new bridge will feature six lanes in either direction, including two express lanes in either direction that will be tolled. The project is being managed by the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and will be worth in excess of US$10 billion. The winner of the tender will be announced shortly.
One consortium comprises Transurban and Macquarie Infrastructure, another is made up of John Laing Investments and Cintra and the other headed by Itinera Infrastructure.
