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Renovations begin on DC's Roosevelt Bridge

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Renovations begin on DC's Roosevelt Bridge


Construction on the Roosevelt Bridge in D.C. began Monday.

The project is expected to last three years and transportation leaders in the District and the Commonwealth are urging commuters to leave early and expect more time for commutes.

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What we know:

The price tag for the massive facelift is $130 million — 90 percent of that is reportedly federal funding. The remaining 10 percent will come from D.C. taxpayers.

The three-year Roosevelt Bridge project will include a deck overlay, deck replacement and wider sidewalks.

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Credit: D.C. Department of Transportation

Right now, those familiar with the project say they’re four and a half feet. They’ll increase that to ten feet.

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The goal is to make the Roosevelt Bridge more pedestrian-friendly, while upgrading the esthetics of the bridge to include a new paint job. Newer and better is the goal.

What they’re saying:

“I think that’s lovely. I think getting people out and about, walking around is just great and allowing more room for pedestrians walking around is great. The Roosevelt Bridge could use a facelift. I think it’s great,” Arlington resident Seeley Lutz said.

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“I remember riding on it when I was a kid. I’m glad they’re improving the bridges in the area,” another Arlington resident, Jeramiah, told FOX 5. “You don’t want a repeat of what happened in Baltimore.” 

Alex Liggitt, Communications Manager for the Virginia Department of Transportation, says upgrades will include traffic barriers, new pedestrian railing and updating all signage.

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“As we go forward in time here, continuing to make sure we’re talking to one another, communicating about road closures, getting the word out, letting people know if there is an alternate route or give extra time to their morning commute,” Liggitt said.

Big picture view:

The project includes structural repairs and a massive paint job over all the steel. Rusted parts will be removed and replaced with a new paint job.

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Transportation leaders say the bridge has been in service for more than six decades and more than 95,000 vehicles travel on it daily. Even so, this is its first upgrade since opening.

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Washington, D.C

DC leaders considering transit options for new RFK Stadium

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DC leaders considering transit options for new RFK Stadium


The Commanders are set to build a new stadium in D.C., and the debate over how fans will get to and from games is happening right now. On Wednesday, city leaders will join Metro and the Washington Commanders to talk stadium transit.



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D.C. Police Chief manipulated crime data; new House Oversight report

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D.C. Police Chief manipulated crime data; new House Oversight report


A new report from the House Oversight Committee alleges former D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith pressured officers to manipulate crime data. The committee released the report on Sunday, less than a week after Smith announced she was stepping down.

You’re lulling people into this false sense of security. They might go places they wouldn’t ordinarily go. They might do things they wouldn’t ordinarily do,” said Betsy Brantner Smith, spokesperson for the National Police Association.

Included in the report were transcribed interviews with the commanders of all seven D.C. patrol districts and the former commander currently on suspended leave. One was asked, “Over the last few years, has there been any internal pressure to simply bring down crime statistics?” Their response, “Yes, I mean extremethere’s always been pressure to keep crime down, but the focus on statistics… has come in with this current administration.”

Every single person who lives, works, or visits the District of Columbia deserves a safe city, yet it’s now clear the American people were deliberately kept in the dark about the true crime rates in our nation’s capital,” House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-KY) said in a statement.

“They are going to have to regain the public trust. Again, this is a huge integrity issue,” Brantner Smith said.

Among the reports findings, Smith’s alleged pressured campaign against staff led to inaccurate crime data. Smith punished or removed officers for reporting accurate crime numbers. Smith fostered a toxic culture and President Trump’s federal law enforcement surge in D.C. is working.

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While Smith has not yet publicly responded to the report, she’s previously denied allegations of manipulating crime data, saying the investigation did not play a factor into her decision to step down at the end of the year.

My decision was not factored into anything with respect to, other than the fact that it’s time. I’ve had 28 years in law enforcement. I’ve had some time to think with my family,” Smith said earlier this month.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser also released a statement Monday, writing in part that “the interim report betrays its bias from the outset, admitting that it was rushed to release.”

According to crime stats from the Metropolitan Police Department, since the federal law enforcement surge started in August, total violent crime is down 26%. Homicides are down 12% and carjackings 37%.



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National Menorah Lighting in DC dedicated to Bondi Beach victims

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National Menorah Lighting in DC dedicated to Bondi Beach victims


The first candle lit on the National Menorah near the White House in Washington, D.C., marked the first night of Hanukkah — and solemnly honored victims of the Bondi Beach shooting.

The National Menorah Lighting was held Sunday night, hours after gunmen opened fire on a crowd celebrating the beginning of Hanukkah at Australia’s iconic Bondi Beach. Fifteen people were killed, including a 10-year-old girl, a rabbi and a Holocaust survivor, and over three dozen others were being treated at hospitals.

Authorities in Australia said it was a terrorist attack targeting Jewish people.

Organizers behind the National Menorah Lighting said the news from Australia, along with the bitter cold, forced them to consider whether or not to hold the annual event.

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After consulting with local law enforcement, National Menorah Lighting organizers decided to hold the event and honor the victims.

Several D.C.-area police departments issued statements confirming there are no known threats to local communities, but are monitoring just in case.

Montgomery County Executive Mark Elrich condemned the attack and said community safety is a priority.

“Acts of antisemitism, especially those meant to intimidate families and communities during moments of gathering and celebration, must be called out clearly and condemned without hesitation,” Elrich said. “I have heard directly from members of Montgomery County’s Jewish community who are shaken and concerned, and I want them to know that their safety is a priority.”

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