The Duke Ellington Bridge, named after American jazz pianist Duke Ellington, carries Calvert Street NW over Rock Creek in Washington, D.C., United States. It connects 18th Street NW in Adams Morgan with Connecticut Avenue NW in Woodley Park, just north of the Taft Bridge. History Originally called the "Calvert Street Bridge", it was designed by Paul Philippe Cret in a neoclassical style and built in 1935. It was rededicated as the Duke Ellington Bridge following the death of the Washington native and famous band leader in 1974. It is a limestone structure with three graceful arches. There are four sculptural reliefs on the abutments measuring three feet high by four feet wide. The classical reliefs by Leon Hermant represent the four modes of travel: automobile, train, ship, and plane. The bridge replaced one built in 1891 by the Rock Creek Railway to carry streetcars. The bridge was a steel trestle bridge with wooden decking, long and high. To avoid streetcar service disruption, the old bridge was moved south during the construction of the new replacement Calvert Street Bridge; however, streetcar service was discontinued before the new bridge opened. See also List of bridges documented by the Historic American Engineering Record in Washington, D.C. References External links Duke Ellington Bridge, from Cultural Tourism DC Calvert Street Bridge (Duke Ellington Bridge). DDOT Library Collection: DC Bridges and Tunnels, District Department of Transportation (DDOT). Bridges completed in 1935 Neoclassical architecture in Washington, D.C. Bridges over Rock Creek (Potomac River tributary) Duke Ellington Historic American Engineering Record in Washington, D.C. Paul Philippe Cret buildings Road bridges in Washington, D.C. Adams Morgan Stone arch bridges in the United States