Potomac River Guide Home

Interactive Maps

The Lower Potomac

The Potomac Estuary

Mount Vernon to Anacostia River

Mall Area

Georgetown to Great Falls

Potomac Piedmont

Upper Potomac

The North Branch

Boat Ramps

Monitoring Sites

Bridges and Ferries

Cruises and Charters

Search Potomac Sites

Also Explore

The Hudson River GuideThe Delaware River Guide

American Legion Bridge at Cabin John

Potomac River Highway Bridge

blank dot

Two separate structures carry the Beltway, Interstate 495, between Maryland and Virginia. The twin crossing occurs at a shallow part of the Potomac between two sets of rapids in the river. The continuous girder structures were built in 1962, with a length of 1442 feet and a width of 52 feet. Frequent congestion and deterioration of the spans created a need for renovation and expansion in the late 1980s. The renovation joined the two structures and added lanes to the already-crowded Beltway crossing. The result was improved traffic flow on the bridge, but the frequent congestion of the Beltway continues to be a problem. The nearest Potomac bridge upstream is where U.S. 15 crosses the river at Point of Rocks, more than 30 miles upstream.

The American Legion Bridge crosses directly over a lock of the C&O Canal, and within 200 feet of Plummer's Island, home of the Wasington Biologists Field Club since 1901. It one of the most studied and rustic islands on the Potomac.

Nearby Potomac River Crossings
Upstream
Downstream
To view all Potomac River crossings, select this link.

Suggested Links

Click here for larger map and nearby sites.

Contact Information
Maryland State Highway Administration
9300 Kenilworth Ave.
Greenbelt MD 20770
301-513-7300
Website