DC Water is wrapping up repairs on a broken 8-inch water main on Martin Luther King Jr. Ave Southeast; however, motorists are advised to continue to steer clear of the road. It’s expected to remain closed between Howard Rd and Talbert Street through Tuesday and possibly longer.  

Water service has been restored to homes, businesses, and apartments affected by the water main break. Work will now begin to stabilize and repair the compromised road. This is expected to require the entire road to remain closed, curb to curb, for repair and repaving.

Drivers are advised to seek alternate routes such as I-295 to avoid lengthy delays in the area. Those unable to avoid the area should maintain caution and adhere to the following detours:

Northbound Martin Luther King Jr. Ave

• Right on Morris Rd → Left on Hunter Pl → Right/Left on Marion Barry Ave
• Left on Howard Rd → Left on Firth Sterling Ave SE → Left onto Suitland Parkway → Access 295 or cross Douglas Bridge 

Southbound Martin Luther King Jr. Ave

• Right or Left on Barry Ave
• Right on Barry Ave → Left on Anacostia Dr → East Oval Exit → South Capitol St → MLK Jr. Ave
• Left on Barry Ave → Right on 16th St → Right on Morris Rd → Left on MLK Jr. Ave 

DC Water is coordinating with the District Department of Transportation to minimize the impact on neighborhood residents, workers, and businesses. The break occurred on a section of Martin Luther King Jr. Ave which serves as a busy commuter route.

Motorists should expect this section of the road to remain closed through the night and morning rush hour. The repair and repaving are expected to take at least 2-3 days. Every effort will be made to expedite the process and reopen lanes or parts of the roadway where it is safe to do so.   

Additional updates and traffic impacts will be provided on Wednesday via our website dcwater.com or through our social media channels @dcwater on X and @dcwater.bsky.social on Bluesky.

Customers are also encouraged to sign up for Alerts to receive updated information about service disruptions at dcwater.com/alerts.