DC Water and contractor crews remain on the scene at 14th and F Streets, NW where they have completed repairs to a 54-inch diameter brick combined sewer line, and connections to storm basins on both sides of 14th Street. Today workers are completing a final joint repair on a 10-inch sanitary sewer. DC Water will then backfill the excavation in sequence to ensure the safety of the utilities above. The last steps include work by PEPCO and telecommunications utilities, then repair and restoration of the intersection.

Repairs have been complex and made more difficult due to a number of utilities and old trolley tracks located across 14th Street. DC Water repaired the brick sewer by installing a steel sewer liner. The large size of the sewer called for a nationwide search for parts. The steel pipe was trucked overnight to the District from Richmond, Virginia. Openings for the laterals that feed into the sewer pipe had to be individually cut and welded. In addition, a manhole for entry from the street, identified on DC Water records, was not readily accessible. It was eventually located eight feet below the surface of the road, paved over many times through the years.

DC Water and contractor crews have worked 24 hours a day during the repair work.

DDOT is managing traffic control during the process and traffic advisories can be found at www.ddot.dc.gov on the Featured News Section. The intersection remains closed to vehicular traffic at this time with the exception of two southbound lanes on 14th Street. Work began here last week and restoration of the street is expected by Friday, May 31.