The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority will officially open the two pedestrian bridges that have been built at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to provide safe access to the Mount Vernon Trail that runs parallel to the George Washington Memorial Parkway and the Potomac River.

The Saturday, April 29, event is an open invitation to the community to run, walk, jog, bike, stroll or skate on over to the airport to check out the new bridges which provide a safe trip through the airport’s roadway system and offer great views of the airfield and the Washington D.C. vista beyond.

Said Airports Authority Executive Vice President James E. Bennett, "The new roadway configuration will greatly enhance safety for those using the Mount Vernon Trail through the airport grounds and improve the efficiency of vehicle movement on airport grounds. We are pleased to make these important pedestrian improvements and have worked in close cooperation with the National Park Service on this project which brings recreational and safety benefits to the community and the Mount Vernon Trail users." The construction cost of the two bridges and other pedestrian improvements was approximately $2 million.

The Saturday official opening will be attended by David T. Ralston Jr., Chairman of the Airports Authority Board of Directors, James E. Bennett, Executive Vice President of the Airports Authority, Audrey Calhoun, Superintendent, National Park Service, and Bill Silverman with the Washington Area Bicycle Association.

The schedule appears below:

####