Beginning this week and continuing through mid-August, DC Water will temporarily close one lane overnight on Clara Barton Parkway at the Maryland-D.C. border. The closures are needed so crews can safely bring in equipment and materials for emergency sewer repairs on part of the Potomac Interceptor.

To reduce traffic delays, most of the work will happen in the evening and overnight when fewer cars are on the road. Only one lane will be closed, and the other lanes will remain open for traffic in both directions.  Drivers should slow down, watch for signs and flaggers, and expect some short delays ...

There is no active spill or overflow. Work to strengthen the pipe to begin soon.

Today, DC Water completed construction on a temporary bypass system as part of sewer repairs on the Potomac Interceptor near Pennyfield Lock in Potomac, Maryland. Crews turned on the pumps and successfully tested the system. With the bypass now ready, it will allow us to begin the emergency repairs inside the pipe by carrying the wastewater around the repair area.

Today, DC Water broke ground on the Piney Branch Tunnel, the final major tunnel in our Clean Rivers Project. This work will help keep sewage and trash out of local waterways and make Rock Creek, the Potomac River, and the Chesapeake Bay cleaner for our community.

When we finish the Piney Branch Tunnel, it will hold at least 4.2 million gallons of rainwater and wastewater during heavy storms. Instead of overflowing into Piney Branch, that water will go to the Blue Plains Water Resource Recovery Facility, where it will be treated.