New Bridge Across Potomac Urged By Northam Transition Team

Gov. Ralph Northam's transportation transition team has recommended upgrades for the American Legion Bridge and another bridge across the Potomac River from Maryland.

Former Transportation Secretary John Milliken said another bridge between Chain Bridge in McLean and Point of Rocks near Leesburg would encourage more people to travel to Virginia for work, WTOP reported.

Any new bridge would need support from Maryland leaders, who have shown disapproval in the past for another new bridge from Fairfax or Loudoun County into Montgomery County, Maryland. There are no specific locations in mind for a new bridge. Virginia does not control either the Chain Bridge or Point of Rocks bridge.

"It’s difficult to get Maryland to agree to anything, it’s difficult to get Northern Virginia to put its act together to agree on any one thing, but it is worth continuing to do because it’s costing Virginia jobs where people simply don’t want to make the long trek," said Milliken.

On the other hand, Virginia and Maryland leaders are working together to expand Capital Beltway Express Lanes into Maryland. In spring or summer, Maryland is expected to release a request for qualifications for private groups that might build and operate the toll lanes.

See more from WTOP.

Leslie E. Kossoff/Associated Press