Remaining lane closures to continue 22nd St NW from Massachusetts Ave to P St and Florida Ave NW

Repairs are progressing on a nine-foot sewer tunnel that has closed a section of 22nd St NW since early July, allowing DC Water and its contractor to reopen one northbound lane of this key corridor to vehicular traffic. Emergency repairs are expected to continue for another six months pending weather or unforeseen issues that affect the schedule. During this time, the remaining lanes will be closed, however, portions of the road may reopen as work progresses.

Since July, DC Water and its contractor have made significant repairs to reinforce the tunnel which had significant structural issues and was in danger of collapse. The 140-year-old cobblestone pipeline had longitudinal cracks, missing cobblestones and bricks, root penetration, and a large void in the soil around the tunnel compromising the road above. 

DC Water is working closely with the District Department of Transportation to minimize the disruption in the area while additional repairs are made. As construction continues, the southbound lane on 22nd St NW will remain closed with one northbound lane open to thru traffic between P St NW and Massachusetts Ave NW. Additional changes to the traffic pattern and lane closures may be necessary as work moves to other areas of the pipeline and tunnel.

DC Water DC Water operates approximately 2,000 miles of combined, separate, and stormwater sewers. Original parts of the system date back more than 200 years and the Authority is making significant investments to update and modernize our stormwater and sewer infrastructure as part of the 10-year, $7.7 billion Capital Improvement Plan.

The repairs are designed to address defects subsequently found upstream and downstream of the main void that initiated emergency work in July 2024. With the initial phase of the emergency repairs complete, work has begun on a second phase to address urgent repairs due to cracks upstream and downstream as well as additional voids in the soil surrounding the pipes.

Crews may work night and day, 24 feet below ground inside the sewer tunnel, with construction taking place seven days a week. Over 115,000 linear feet of rebar (including 11,400 rebar anchors) will be installed and the tunnel sprayed with 675 tons of shotcrete, a high-pressure concrete material, to reinforce and support the pipe.

Motorists and cyclists are advised to follow detour signage. 

The repairs to DC Water’s aging infrastructure will ensure the system is sustainable, equitable, reliable, resilient and supports health, safety, and well-being. We appreciate your patience while we get this important work done.

Traffic and Cyclist Detour:

• Motorists and cyclists are directed to follow detour signage (see map below):
  • Northbound from Florida Ave NW turn east on Massachusetts Ave NW to us Dupont Circle to P St NW or Connecticut Ave NW.
  • From P St NW, use one lane Northbound on 22nd St NW to Florida Ave or turn east Massachusetts Ave NW to Dupont Circle.
  • Partial lane closure at the intersection of Florida Ave NW and R St NW, turn east on R St NW to Connecticut Ave NW then to Dupont Circle, to access westbound Massachusetts Ave NW and P westbound P St NW.
• Southbound 22nd St NW Q St NW and P St NW will remain closed for the duration of the repairs.

Anticipated Schedule:

• February 2025 – July 2025 repairs to mitigate defects found in the pipeline, including longitudinal cracks, missing cobblestones, root penetration, and missing bricks.
• February 2025 – Northbound lane opens to through traffic.
• July 2025 – anticipated completion of repairs, road reopens (subject to weather or other unforeseen delays)

Work includes shoring, LIDAR scanning, soil stabilization, structural upgrades, excavation, backfill and reconstruction of the roadway. 

People who live or work near the affected locations will notice additional construction equipment and personnel as well as noise associated with construction activities.

For any questions or concerns, please contact our DC Water 24-hour Emergency Command Center at 202-612-3400.