DC Water is advising motorists of an emergency closure to the P Street Northwest Ramp to Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway, due to a sinkhole on the ramp that may compromise the roadway. The closure will begin between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. tonight until further notice, in order to assess the extent of the void beneath the roadway and near a major sewer line.

A six foot pipeline, known as the Rock Creek Main Interceptor, runs through this area and carries as much as 100 million gallons of wastewater a day.

The current sinkhole is located along the shoulder of the ramp, measuring two feet long and wide. However, the void beneath the roadway may be larger and the ground compromised particularly under the weight of traffic. Drivers should seek alternate routes to access Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway.

The closure is necessary, out of an abundance of caution, to allow a full assessment of the area. Over the weekend, engineers plan to inspect the sewer line and surrounding area to determine what caused the void and if it’s related to a failure in the pipe.

The sewer line which dates back to the late 1800’s carries combined stormwater runoff and sewage from Prince George’s and Montgomery counties and the District to DC Water’s Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Once the initial analysis is completed, DC Water will determine the extent of repairs necessary and any additional impacts to the road closure. Additional updates and traffic impacts will be provided on our website dcwater.com or through our social media channels @dcwater on X and @dcwater.bsky.social on Bluesky.

Customers with questions may contact DC Water Customer Service at (202) 354-3600 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or the 24-Hour Command Center at 202-612-3400.