Crystal City Wants a High Line Bridge Connection to National Airport
✉️ Want to forward this article? Click here.
![Crystal City Wants a High Line Bridge Connection to National Airport: Figure 1](https://assets.urbanturf.com/dc/images/blog/2017/11/cryscitydcabridgeaerial550.jpg)
Aerial rendering of the proposed Crystal City-DCA bridge
A little-known fact about Crystal City is that it’s just a 15-minute walk from National Airport. However, it’s not very well-known because the options to make that walk are unsafe and inconvenient. Now, the Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID) is unveiling a proposal for a connection between the city and the airport that would make that walk a lot easier and more pleasant.
On Wednesday, the BID presented their vision for a new bridge or tunnel that will connect to a security gate at the airport that the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is constructing.
![Crystal City Wants a High Line Bridge Connection to National Airport: Figure 2](https://assets.urbanturf.com/dc/images/blog/2017/11/cryscitydcalanding2-550.jpg)
Bridge landing facing east; 1101 Crystal Drive is to the left
While details on the exact construction of either a bridge or tunnel have yet to be determined, the BID seems particularly taken with the idea of building a bridge akin to the High Line in New York City, a style and aesthetic that seems to have become the go-to model for jurisdictions looking to build walkable bridges.
![Crystal City Wants a High Line Bridge Connection to National Airport: Figure 3](https://assets.urbanturf.com/dc/images/blog/2017/11/cryscitydcabridge550.jpg)
Bridge seating area
story continues below
loading...story continues above
Either of the two options could incorporate moving sidewalks similar to those used inside of airports. Each would also have some access to the Mount Vernon Trail.
![Crystal City Wants a High Line Bridge Connection to National Airport: Figure 4](https://assets.urbanturf.com/dc/images/blog/2017/11/cryscitydcafromairportgarage550.jpg)
View approaching the bridge from the airport garage
In the short term, the BID plans to coordinate with Virginia Railway Express, which is currently studying a relocation of their Crystal City station. The BID will also seek concept approval from Arlington County in hopes of gaining inclusion in the sector plan, which already mentions the desire for an improved connection to the airport. If approval is obtained, there will be 1-2 years of planning and another 3-6 years before the bridge (or tunnel) is delivered. Additional renderings are below.
![Crystal City Wants a High Line Bridge Connection to National Airport: Figure 5](https://assets.urbanturf.com/dc/images/blog/2017/11/cryscitydcafromgwmp550.jpg)
View of the bridge from GW Memorial Parkway
![Crystal City Wants a High Line Bridge Connection to National Airport: Figure 6](https://assets.urbanturf.com/dc/images/blog/2017/11/cryscitydcalanding1-550.jpg)
View approaching the bridge from Crystal City
![Crystal City Wants a High Line Bridge Connection to National Airport: Figure 7](https://assets.urbanturf.com/dc/images/blog/2017/11/cryscitydcatunnel550.jpg)
Rendering of a proposed Crystal City-DCA tunnel as approached from the airport
See other articles related to: crystal city
This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/crystal_city_wants_a_high_line_bridge_to_the_airport/13264.
Most Popular... This Week • Last 30 Days • Ever
![Buying with Friends: What You Should Know](https://assets.urbanturf.com/dc/images/blog/2010/05/home_value.jpg)
Here are some precautions to take before buying real estate with a buddy.... read »
![$10 Million McLean Home Of Former Nationals Star Stephen Strasburg Finds a Buyer](https://assets.urbanturf.com/dc/images/blog/2024/09/resized/VAFX2180246_45_0_image_560x420.jpg)
The six-bedroom home listed for just south of $10 million back in June went under con... read »
![16-Story, 325-Unit Building Pitched For Arlington's Wilson Boulevard](https://assets.urbanturf.com/dc/images/blog/2024/09/resized/2500-wilson-1_image_560x420.jpg)
The new project will take the place of an obsolete office building in Courthouse.... read »
![Mayor Bowser Announces First Office-To-Residential Projects To Receive Tax Abatements](https://assets.urbanturf.com/dc/images/blog/2024/09/resized/1625-mass-1_image_560x420.jpg)
The three office-to-residential conversion projects have been conditionally awarded t... read »
![500 Apartments, Live/Work Units And A Park: The New Plans Coming To St. Elizabeths](https://assets.urbanturf.com/dc/images/blog/2024/09/resized/parcel-6-park_image_560x420.jpg)
The plans for one of the final parcels at DC's St. Elizabeth's East campus are beginn... read »
- Buying with Friends: What You Should Know
- $10 Million McLean Home Of Former Nationals Star Stephen Strasburg Finds a Buyer
- 16-Story, 325-Unit Building Pitched For Arlington's Wilson Boulevard
- Mayor Bowser Announces First Office-To-Residential Projects To Receive Tax Abatements
- 500 Apartments, Live/Work Units And A Park: The New Plans Coming To St. Elizabeths
DC Real Estate Guides
Short guides to navigating the DC-area real estate market
We've collected all our helpful guides for buying, selling and renting in and around Washington, DC in one place. Start browsing below!
First-Timer Primers
Intro guides for first-time home buyers
Unique Spaces
Awesome and unusual real estate from across the DC Metro