$167M overhaul of historic GW Parkway north section officially complete

WASHINGTON (7News) — The U.S. Department of the Interior officially marked the completion of the George Washington Memorial Parkway’s North Section Rehabilitation project on Monday.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum joined National Park Service leaders for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the wrap-up of the massive $167 million infrastructure overhaul.

The project, funded through President Donald Trump’s Great American Outdoors Act, represents the first major, comprehensive rehabilitation of the parkway’s northern stretch since it originally opened to traffic in 1962.

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According to officials, crews focused on balancing modern safety upgrades with the preservation of the roadway’s distinct historic aesthetic:

• Roadway & safety improvements: Complete pavement reconstruction, upgraded roadside infrastructure and enhanced safety barriers
• Structural reinforcements: Extensive rehabilitation of the parkway’s historic stone walls, arched bridges and deep-drainage systems to handle heavy runoff and prevent erosion
• Scenic restoration: Revamped overlooks and cleared vistas, restoring classic, unobstructed views of the Potomac River and D.C. skyline

“This parkway belongs to the American people,” Burgum said. “We have returned it to the American people safer, stronger and more beautiful for generations to come.”

The North Section of the parkway had gone over six decades without a top-to-bottom renewal, leading to deteriorating pavement and aging drainage systems.