Starting Friday, November 7 at 8 p.m. through Monday, November 10 at 5 a.m., and again on November 14-17, a section of the Rock Creek Multi-use Trail near Rose Park—between P Street NW and Pennsylvania Avenue NW— will be temporarily closed for construction. One sounthbound lane of Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway will also be closed, impacting traffic. This closure is part of ongoing high-priorty repairs to the Rock Creek Main Interceptor (RCMI), a  major sewer line which transports more than 100 million gallons of wastewater each day. 

The construction plan initially announced in early October involves two phases. During the first phase, crews will peform 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.

The gate restoration was intially expected to require two weekend trail and lane closures. However, due to unforseen complications construction is now expected to require an additional 5-7 weekends. Additional dates have not yet been determined but will involve the same restrictions as detailed below: 

• Closure Dates: Friday, November 7-10 and 14-17, 2025
• Closure Times: Friday 8PM through Monday 5 AM (both weekends)
• Trail Segment: Between P Street NW and Pennsylvania Avenue NW
• Detour: Available via Rose Park
• Work Hours: Continuous, 24/7 throughout the weekend

During the gate restoration, one lane of southbound Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway will also be closed. Visitors in this area should follow trail detours. For safety, do not walk on the roadway. 

The first phase of construction to repair the gates is essential to allow internal inspections of the pipe, paving the way for more comprehensive rehabilitation efforts in Phase 2.

The gates being refurbished play a vital role in controlling wastewater flow during both construction and periods of heavy rainfall. Positioned at strategic locations along the RCMI system—including near the Smithsonian National Zoo, the Rock Creek Trail by Rose Park, and the Georgetown Waterfront—these gates enable DC Water to redirect flow away from active work zones. During storms, they can be opened to boost system capacity and help prevent overflows, protecting infrastructure and the surrounding environment.

Looking ahead, Phase 2 will focus on restoring approximately 3,000 feet of the 72-inch diameter pipe. This phase is expected to continue through September 2026.

DC Water thanks the community for its patience and cooperation as crews work to maintain the integrity of this essential infrastructure. The team will monitor noise and traffic impacts throughout the project and provide regular updates.