Partial Bypass Expected to Begin as Early as This Weekend
DC Water and its contractor continue to make progress to contain the sewer overflow from a collapsed section of the Potomac Interceptor (PI), a major sewer line along Clara Barton Parkway near 495 in Montgomery County, MD. As part of that work, crews today are mobilizing equipment, clearing brush and debris, and installing pipes in ...
Bypass system construction underway to contain overflow and protect waterways
Drinking water service remains safe and unaffected
One lane of eastbound Clara Barton Parkway remains closed
C & O Canal Towpath remains open; public advised to avoid contact with wastewater
One lane of Clara Barton Parkway Closed as a Precaution. Drinking Water is not impacted.
Beginning on or about January 19, 2026, weather permitting, DC Water will implement a temporary lane closure on Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway NW between Virginia Avenue NW and F Street NW. During this time, crews will perform well-monitoring instrument activities.
This work is part of DC Water’s efforts to construct the Potomac River Tunnel—an essential component of the Clean Rivers Project ...
DC CLEAN RIVERS – POTOMAC RIVER TUNNEL PROJECT
If you bike, drive, or walk through Georgetown, we’ve got changes starting this week around the Potomac River Tunnel construction on Water Street NW. The Capital Crescent Trail has a new temporary detour through Georgetown Waterfront Park, open now for cyclists between 33rd and Potomac streets NW.
Construction crews will be working around the clock on the Rock Creek Main Interceptor (RCMI) project this weekend, requiring a section of the Rock Creek Multi-use Trail to be closed and changes in traffic patterns. Rehabilitation of the 72-inch diameter main is a high priority project as part of DC Water’s Capital Improvement Program and is critical to protecting Rock Creek and improving ...
Something big is happening underground, as DC Water marks a major step forward for the Potomac River Tunnel Project. Today, crews successfully lowered the massive cutterhead for the tunnel boring machine (TBM) Mary. The 21-foot diameter cutterhead acts as a giant drill, to cut through rock and soil as Mary excavates the northern section of tunnel.
Beginning the week of January 12, 2026, DC Water will begin the next phase of construction for the Potomac River Tunnel Project at the Georgetown University entrance site along the Canal Road NW.
Learn more about winter replacements and protecting pipes from the cold
When temperatures plunge and the ground freezes, replacing lead service lines becomes more challenging—but DC Water doesn’t stop. Our Lead Free DC (LFDC) crews adapt. To learn more DC Water is hosting a virtual community meeting 6 - 7 p.m., Jan 28.
Major Milestone Paves Way for Potomac River Tunnel Construction at the Site
DC Water has completed its slope stabilization project along Canal Road, a critical step in order to move forward with construction for the Potomac River Tunnel Project. Originally scheduled to end in February, the project finished about two months ahead of schedule, minimizing additional impacts to commuters and ...
