TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Water Street NW at Georgetown Waterfront Park — Travel Lane and Sidewalk Closures
Beginning on or about November 12, 2025, DC Water will begin preparing for construction on the Potomac River Tunnel on the 3300 block of Water Street NW, beneath the Whitehurst Freeway.
This initial phase will be three to four months, weather permitting. During this time, crews will install fencing, signage, and erosion controls; clear and grade the site; and build the entrance. To keep everyone safe, there will be lane closures, parking restrictions, and a bike lane shift on Water Street. A temporary detour for the Capital Crescent Trail will be created in Georgetown Waterfront Park to help pedestrians and cyclists navigate around the work zone.
Water Street will remain open during construction, but you may notice changes to sidewalks and traffic patterns. Please follow posted signs and detours and consider alternative routes to avoid delays. Capital Crescent Trail will be restored when construction is completed.
What to Expect
Date: November 12, 2025 – Mid-February 2026 (weather permitting).
Time: Monday–Friday from 7 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Location: Water Street NW between 34th Street and Cecil Place
Traffic and Trail Changes:
- The bike lane on Water Street will shift north around the work zone.
- Parking will be restricted on Water Street between 34th Street and Cecil Place.
- The Capital Crescent Trail adjacent to the work zone will be closed.
- Pedestrians will be detoured to paths in Georgetown Waterfront Park.
Flaggers and signs will help guide you safely through the area. A temporary bike and pedestrian path will be built in the park to keep everyone moving.
Project Details
DC Water is building the Potomac River Tunnel to help reduce pollution in the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay. The tunnel is designed to capture combined sewer overflows—stormwater mixed with sewage—and send them to the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The tunnel is expected to be operational by 2030, and once complete, will reduce overflow events from about 74 to only 4 during an average year of rain and decrease the volume by 93%.
This work is part of a long-term commitment to cleaner waterways and ensures compliance with a Federal Consent Decree, as amended in 2016, with the District of Columbia, US Environmental Protection Agency, and the US Department of Justice.
Learn more at: dcwater.com/prt.
Contact Us
Project Email: dcpotomacrivertunnel@dcwater.com
Project Hotline: 202-972-1388
DC Water 24-hour Emergency: 202-612-3400
