Interstate 395 is the original route of Interstate 95; it was created when Interstate 95 was moved to the Capital Beltway when the northern section was canceled. Interstate 395 is the main freeway connection to the government district. The highway carries six to eight lanes with a two lane reversal HOV-2 roadway within the median. Interstate 395 serves the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, while passing underneath the U.S. Capitol area and National Mall in central Washington. The highway ends unceremoniously at U.S. 50/New York Avenue.
Peering east from the 7th Street SW overpass at Interstate 395 (Southwest Freeway) near its intersection with the Center Leg Freeway and Interstate 695 (Southeast Freeway). Photo taken 08/01/05.
This trailblazer points the way to Interstate 395 south from downtown Washington, D.C. Photo taken 01/20/00 by Jeff Royston.
7th Street SW North
Interstate 395 trailblazer posted along 7th Street SW northbound at the Southwest Freeway on-ramp. Interstate 395 meets Interstate 695 (Southeast Freeway) at its northward turn onto the Center Leg Freeway nearby. Photo taken 08/01/05.
Capital Landing Place east at 7th Street SW opposite the Interstate 395 (Southwest Freeway) northbound on-ramp. Photo taken 08/01/05.
7th Street SW stems north from Maine Avenue SW to meet Interstate 395 north after G Street SW. Photos taken 08/01/05.
Heaving traffic trudges westward along Interstate 395 (Southwest Freeway) as ramps from 9th Street SW and 7th Street SW join. Photo taken 08/01/05.
7th Street SW north crosses Interstate 395 and intersects Frontage Road SW, the westbound side service road of the Southwest Freeway. Photo taken 08/01/05.
7th Street SW South
Looking west from the 7th Street SW overpass at Interstate 395 and its southbound ramps to Maine Avenue and the 12th Street Expressway north. Ramps also tie into the freeway from 9th Street south at L'Enfant Plaza in these scenes. Photos taken 08/01/05.
Traffic from Maine Avenue eastbound joins Interstate 395 (Southwest Freeway) east at the end of the Francis Case Memorial Bridge. The Maine Avenue ramps were to connect with the unconstructed portion of the Southwest Freeway (Interstate 695), a limited-access highway linking Interstate 395 here (signed as Interstate 95 then) with Interstate 66 at the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge. Photo taken 08/01/05.
7th Street SW southbound at the northbound on-ramp to Interstate 395 (Southwest Freeway). Photo taken 08/01/05.
Frontage Road SW West
Interstate 395 gains a westbound side Frontage Road between 6th Street SW and L'Enfant Plaza SW along the Southwest Freeway. These two scenes look at the traffic lights and intersection with 7th Street SW at the parallel road. Photos taken 08/01/05.
A second look at the Interstate 395 (Southwest Freeway) southbound split with the ramps to Maine Avenue and the 12th Street Expressway north. The Maine Avenue ramp lead drivers to Independence Avenue at West Potomac Park. This would have been the continuation of Interstate 695 west. Photo taken 08/01/05.
Westbound along the Interstate 395 Frontage Road approaching the L'Enfant Plaza Promenade at the 9th Street SW over crossing. Photo taken 08/01/05.
Traffic from 9th Street SW joins the mix ahead of the Interstate 395 ramp split between Maine Avenue west and 12th Street north. A slip ramp provides access from the 9th Street SW on-ramp to the departing Maine Avenue off-ramp. Photo taken 08/01/05.
The Promenade travels underneath L'Enfant Plaza SW from the frontage road northward. The Plaza travels above northward from Banneker Circle SW to Independence Avenue SW. Frontage Road SW otherwise turns north and joins the 12th Street Expressway northward toward downtown. Photo taken 08/01/05.
