Emergency Water Outage
Feb 07, 2026 | 03:00 PM

Emergency Water Outage
Feb 07, 2026 | 03:00 PM

Traffic Advisory: Northeast Boundary Tunnel Brings Utility Relocation Work to R Street, NW

March 27, 2019

(Washington, DC) – On Monday, April 1, 2019, construction crews will begin utility location work in the 600-block of Rhode Island Avenue, NW. Traffic and parking restrictions will be in effect on Rhode Island Avenue, 6th Street, NW and R Street, NW. The work will be done in four phases that will last approximately 2 days each. The work will be conducted between the hours of 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM and is expected to conclude on or about April 12th.

Travel and Parking Restrictions

Phase 1

Utility location work will begin on Monday, April 1, 2019, by occupying two lanes of eastbound traffic on the 600-block of Rhode Island Avenue. Eastbound travel lanes on Rhode Island Avenue will be reduced to one lane of traffic from 8th Street to 6th Street. Parking restrictions will also be in effect between 8th Street and 6th Street on eastbound Rhode Island Avenue.

Phase 2

Utility location work in Phase 2 will occupy two northbound lanes of 6th Street between Rhode Island Avenue and R Street. Eastbound travel lanes on Rhode Island Avenue will be reduced to one lane of traffic from 7th Street to 6th Street. Northbound traffic on 6th Street will be reduced to one lane between Q Street and Rhode Island Avenue. Parking restrictions will be in place on the northbound 1600-block of 6th Street and the 600-block of Rhode Island Avenue.

Phase 3

Utility location work in Phase 3 will occupy the southbound lanes of 6th Street between Rhode Island Avenue and R Street. Right turns from eastbound Rhode Island Avenue will not be permitted onto 6th Street.  Southbound traffic on 6th Street will be directed around the construction area by turning right on 7th Street then left on Q Street to access 6th Street.

Phase 4

Utility location work in Phase 4 will occupy the parking and bicycle lane on the 600-block of R Street. Parking will not be permitted on the 600-block of R Street. The bicycle lane will also be closed. Bicyclists will be directed to use southbound 6th Street with a right onto P Street and right onto 7th Street to access Rhode Island Avenue.

Additional Information

  • People who live or work near the affected locations will notice additional construction equipment and personnel as well as noise associated with construction activities.
  • Commuters and pedestrians will notice road signs and/or flagging personnel directing them around the work site.

Project Details

The Northeast Boundary Tunnel is the largest component of the Clean Rivers Project. It begins south of RFK Stadium and will extend north to Rhode Island Avenue NE and west to 6th Street NW. When complete, the approximately five-mile long tunnel will significantly reduce chronic flooding in areas it serves, as well as reduce the amount of combined sewer overflows into the Anacostia River by 98%.

###

For more information, please contact

Email: dccleanrivers@dcwater.com

24/7 NEBT Hotline: (800) 988-6151

Northeast Boundary Tunnel Project Website: dcwater.com/NEBT

Latest News

Photo of giant rock and boulder removed

DC Water is releasing new findings regarding the environmental impacts following the January 19, collapse in a section of the Potomac Interceptor. Based on flow monitoring data collected before and after interim bypass pumping was activated, DC Water estimates approximately 243 million gallons of wastewater has overflowed from the collapse site.

Image of rock blockage taken by CCTV inside the Potomac Interceptor downstream of the collapse

Update on Extended Repairs, Safety Measures, and Water Quality Monitoring

Overnight CCTV inspection of the Potomac Interceptor revealed the blockage inside the collapsed sewer line is far more significant, showing a large rock dam stretching approximately 30 feet downstream of the original failure.

Three workers over the pit accessing the Potomac Interceptor for Cleaning

DC Water and its contractor are working to clean debris from a damaged section of the Potomac Interceptor, a sanitary sewer line that collapsed on January 19, along Clara Barton Parkway and the 495 ...

Upcoming Meeting

Board of Directors Meeting

April 24, 2023

Monday 9:00 AM

Announcement

Picture of new bike pedestrian path and traffic detour
New Path for Capital Crescent Trail Opens at Georgetown Waterfront Park

DC CLEAN RIVERS – POTOMAC RIVER TUNNEL PROJECT
If you bike, drive, or walk through Georgetown, we’ve got changes starting this week around the Potomac River Tunnel construction on Water Street NW. The Capital Crescent Trail has a new temporary detour through Georgetown Waterfront Park, open now for cyclists between 33rd and Potomac streets NW.

Latest Blog Post
A helicopter lowers a drill rig to workers on the Potomac River.
DC Water begins drilling in Potomac River to explore options to rehab underwater sewer line
When one of your major sewer lines runs through the Potomac River, a backhoe and trencher won't do. That's why we've got helicopters carrying a 14-ton drill and workers suspended midair over the Potomac.
Upcoming Meeting
Date
February 19, 2026
Thursday, 9:30 AM

Upcoming Events

Customer Service Center Announcement

Payment Plan Incentive: provides a credit back of 40% of the last 3 payments made and in the new fiscal year 50% will be credited. Eligible participants are residential customers who have had an outstanding balance for 60 days or greater and with an outstanding balance of $500 or more.