Malcolm X Interchange

HNTB partnered with General Services Administration (GSA) and District Department of Transportation (DDOT) in Washington D.C. to work on improvements to the I-295 Malcolm X Interchange. Located near government facilities, the headquarters for the Department of Homeland Security and Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, this section of roadway had long caused challenges for commuters trying to access these facilities.

HNTB’s involvement began during the National Environmental Policy Act phase of the project, helping GSA to develop various alternatives to improve access and connectivity while understanding the unique location as National Parks Service land runs along the corridor. HNTB then prepared final design documents for GSA before serving as engineer of record for DDOT during construction.

The completed project has reduced traffic and congestion along I-295, with the addition of six new bridges that were designed by HNTB, in addition to providing new public amenities, including a shared use path that runs along the corridor and connects to local trails systems. To maintain and protect the abutting National Parks Services land, retaining walls were installed along with extensive landscaping for beautification and extra effort was made to limit the amount of man-made light that would affect the area.