DC Water to Begin Canal Road NW Slope Stabilization Project
Off-Peak Lane Closures and Sidewalk Closure Begin This Week
DC Water will begin construction this week to stabilize the slope on Canal Road NW between Foxhall Road (Glover-Archbold Trailhead) and the Georgetown University (GU) entrance. Temporary lane closures will be necessary during off-peak hours at times, and the sidewalk will be closed for the duration of the project. Work will begin on Saturday, September 20, 2025, and continue for approximately 6.5 months.
The slope stabilization will be performed in advance of the Potomac River Tunnel Project, a critical infrastructure effort to improve water quality in the Potomac River. Due to repeated landslides and falling rocks along the slope, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) deemed the slope a public safety concern. A deep drop shaft will be built at the site that connects to the tunnel system, reducing the frequency and amount of combined wastewater and stormwater overflow into the river.
All lanes on Canal Road will remain open in both directions, except during off-peak hours (10:15 a.m.–3 p.m. and 8 p.m.–6:30 a.m. weekdays; 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. weekends) as needed. An off-peak lane closure will be necessary at the start of the project and continue for approximately three weeks, with one outbound lane closed. Future notices will be provided regarding additional periodic off-peak lane closures.
The slope stabilization process is complex and time-consuming. Crews will remove trees and loose materials, drill approximately 725 steel dowels into the slope, install mesh to hold everything in place, hydroseed the area, and replant trees at the top. These steps must be completed in phases to ensure safety and minimize traffic impacts, which is why the work will extend through February 2026.
What to Expect
- September 20, 2025 - February 2026
- Construction on Canal Road between Foxhall Road (Glover-Archbold Trailhead) and Georgetown University entrance
- Traffic Impacts: Canal Road will remain open in both directions, with periodic off-peak lane closures
- Sidewalk closed on north side of Canal Road adjacent to the work zone. Detours and shuttle available:
- Shuttle Service: Call (703) 919-7430 for free ADA-accessible shuttle with bike transport
- Request the Canal Road shuttle and provide your pick-up location at the Foxhall or GU stops
- Pedestrian/cyclist detours via Reservoir Road, C&O Canal Towpath, Capital Crescent Trail, and Glover-Archbold Trail
Signage will be posted along the sidewalk to inform users of the closure and provide detour and shuttle information. When off-peak lane closures are in effect, motorists headed outbound toward Maryland or Virginia should consider George Washington Memorial Parkway, I-395/14th Street Bridge, Theodore Roosevelt Bridge or other alternatives. In addition, Reservoir Road may also be an option for some drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.
The slope stabilization supports the Potomac River Tunnel Project, an $819 million, 5.5-mile-long tunnel that will significantly reduce the amount of untreated sewage and stormwater entering the Potomac River. The Project is included in DC Water’s Capital Improvement Program, which invests in infrastructure to protect public health, improve water quality, and enhance service reliability across the District.
For more information about the slope stabilization work, visit dcwater.com/slope or call (202) 787-4400 and follow ups on social media @dcwater on X, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn and on BlueSky @dcwater.bsky.social.
