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TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Temporary Lane Closures Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway for Sewer Rehabilitation Project

February 27, 2026

DC Water will be performing repairs to the Rock Creek Main Interceptor (RCMI) within the West End and Georgetown Neighborhoods. This will require temporary lane closures beginning tonight, February 27, at 8 PM  through Monday, March 2, at 5 AM.

The construction plan initially announced in early October involves two phases. During the first phase, crews will perform work to help restore one of two sewer gates located within a structure along the trail. Once completed, crews will move on to the second phase of the project, now expected to start in early 2026. These repairs are a high priority to prevent potential sewage discharge into Rock Creek and are part of DC Water’s Capital Improvement Program.

DC Water is continuing to conduct additional field investigations and inspections needed to complete the first phase of work.

Temporary Lane and Trail Closures: 

One lane of the Rock Creek and Potomac Pkwy NW (South Bound) between P Street and Pennsylvania Ave NW will be closed full-time during the Gate Restoration.

Right most southbound lane closure

One lane of the Rock Creek and Potomac Pkwy NW (South Bound) near the Waterside Drive NW on-ramp, will be closed on Saturday, February 28 from 7 AM to 5 PM during the pipeline inspection.
 

RCMI Pic 2 Lane Closure

The Rock Creek Trail between Pennsylvania Ave and Lauzuns Legion Bridge will be closed full time during the Gate Restoration.
Map of detour
To facilitate the inspection of nearby DC Water infrastructure, while also ensuring the safety of the crews and equipment, we will need to temporarily close a section of the right southbound lane of Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway near the ramp merge from Waterside Drive NW.
 
The temporary lane closure will take place from 8:00 PM on Friday, February 27, 2026, through 5:00 AM on Monday, March 2, 2026.
 
DC Water has been working closely with National Park Service and Park Police on this work, to ensure that the rush hour one-way access along Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway is uninterrupted.
 
We extend our thanks to the community for their patience and understanding during the completion of this critical infrastructure project.
 

Latest News

A section of the canal where the soil has been removed
  • Crews are close to completing the removal of remaining soil from Locks 11 to 13 in the section of the C&O Canal that was used as an emergency bypass after the collapse of the Potomac Interceptor sewer ...
Excavation site outside the I-495 Beltway showing section of the PI

Crews completed cleaning on Lock 11 of the C & O Canal as prescribed by the National Park Service, with soil removal also nearing completion within the lock area. Tree removal is also underway, after DC Water received the permits to move forward as part of the site preparations for the long-term accelerated rehabilitation of more than 2700 linear feet of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line that had been previously planned.

Photo of long stretch of C & O Canal with soil removed

DC Water has excavated a section of the Potomac Interceptor along Clara Barton Parkway, outside the I-495 Beltway as part of the accelerated rehabilitation of more than 2700 linear feet of the interceptor that was previously planned. As part of the long-term rehabilitation project, crews are beginning to remove trees which is necessary to construct a bypass chamber that will divert wastewater around sections of the pipe while they are being rehabilitated.

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