[5] The American Legion Memorial Bridge is an important commuter route because of its proximity to edge cities and high tech centers in Maryland and Virginia.

On the Maryland side, the bridge crosses over MacArthur Boulevard, the Clara Barton Parkway and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.

[10] The expansion project would destroy large parts of Plummers Island, which is located immediately downstream of the bridge.

[13] In November 2022 MDOT announced that it would not award a contract for construction of the proposed expansion project until after Governor Hogan left office in January 2023.

Decisions on the project will be made by the administration of newly elected governor Wes Moore and the Maryland Board of Public Works.

[14] In August 2023, MDOT applied for a federal grant to support rebuilding of the bridge and expand a portion of I-495 leading to the junction with I-270.

[15] In December 2024, Northern Virginia leaders shared that the NOVA community needs to continue to apply pressure for the bridge project to be initiated.