(Washington, DC) – DC Water's Potomac River Tunnel Project contractor began utility tie-in operations along Independence Avenue, SW between Ohio Drive, SW, and West Basin Drive, SW on June 16, 2024. This work requires phased temporary closures of one to two eastbound travel lanes and one to two westbound travel lanes on Independence Avenue the crosswalk at West Basin Drive and Independence Avenue and the sidewalk on the south side of Independence Avenue (adjacent to West Potomac Park). Work hours are Monday through Friday from 7:00 pm to 5:30 am for the two-lane closures and from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm for the single-lane closures, weather permitting. All travel lanes reopen during non-working hours. Please refer to Maps A, B, and C below for additional details.

The tie-in work is necessary to construct a relocated Ohio Drive and to prepare the site for the Potomac River Tunnel (PRT) Project. The contractor will restore the work areas when the tie-in work is completed. 

Independence Avenue, SW Work (Maps A, B, & C)

• Date: June 16 – October 6, 2024
• Time: Monday – Friday, from 7:00 pm – 5:30 am for two-lane closures; Monday – Friday, from 9:30 am – 2:30 pm for single-lane closures.
• Location: Independence Avenue, SW between Ohio Drive, SW and West Basin Drive, SW
• Traffic Patterns and Pedestrian Detours: 
  • Traffic: Temporary eastbound and westbound lane closures on Independence Avenue between Ohio Drive and West Basin Drive. See Maps A and B for additional details.
  • Pedestrian Detours: Temporary sidewalk and crosswalk closures adjacent to West Potomac Park along Independence Avenue between Ohio Drive and West Basin Drive. See Map C for additional details.

Map A: (Independence Ave, SW) One Lane Closure Configuration

Map B: (Independence Ave, SW) Two Lane Closure Configuration

Map C: (Independence Ave, SW) Pedestrian Detour

Important Information

• The sidewalk and crosswalk identified on the maps above will remain closed for the duration of the tie-in work. 
• Motorists and pedestrians will notice road signs and flagging personnel directing them around the work zones. 
• Please plan your travel routes accordingly and anticipate potential delays. Traffic control measures will be in place to guide motorists safely through the area.
• Alternative pedestrian routes will be provided, and signage will be posted to direct pedestrians to safe pathways. Refer to Map C for the detour route. 

Project Details

The Potomac River Tunnel is the next major phase of the DC Clean Rivers Project. The project consists of a large-diameter deep sewer tunnel, diversion facilities, drop shafts, and support structures to capture flows from existing combined sewer overflows (CSOs) along the Potomac River and convey them to the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant. The project is needed to reduce CSOs that contribute to water quality impairment of the Potomac River and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay; and to comply with the 2005 Federal Consent Decree entered by DC Water, the District of Columbia, the US Environmental Protection Agency, and the US Department of Justice, as amended in January 2016.

CSOs are released into the Potomac River from CSO Outfalls during rainfalls that exceed the system capacity. CSOs impair water quality by increasing water bacteria levels, contributing to low dissolved oxygen impacting aquatic life, and increasing the amount of trash in waterways. An estimated 654 million gallons of CSOs currently enter the Potomac River in a year of average rainfall. The proposed controls are estimated to reduce the volume of CSOs to the Potomac River by 93% and reduce their frequency from approximately 74 events to 4 events in a year of average rainfall.

For more information 

Project Email: dcpotomacrivertunnel@dcwater.com
Dedicated Project Hotline: 202-972-1388
Project Website: www.dcwater.com/prt 
DC Water 24-hour Emergency: 202-612-3400