back to main navigation
back to main navigation
back to main navigation
back to main navigation
back to main navigation

Northeast Boundary Tunnel Project

Scroll Down

Everything you need to know about the Northeast Boundary Tunnel Project and how it will affect

your commute to work
your neighborhood
your water
your rivers

The century-old combined sewer system in the District of Columbia is not equipped to handle the population growth experienced during the last 100 years.  The sewer system is undersized and has caused chronic flooding in the Bloomingdale and LeDroit Park neighborhoods, at the Rhode Island Metro Station area, and on Mount Olivet Road NE for decades...

To address the problem, DC Water has initiated the construction of the Northeast Boundary Tunnel (NEBT) to connect with the existing sewer system, significantly mitigating sewer flooding while improving the water quality of the Anacostia River. The NEBT is the largest component of the Clean Rivers Project and will start just south of RFK Stadium and extend north to Rhode Island Avenue and west to R Street NW.

Completion of the NEBT in 2023 will fulfill new facility construction on the Anacostia River required by DC Water’s Consent Decree. Once the NEBT is connected to the other Clean Rivers tunnels, combined sewer overflows to the Anacostia River will be reduced by 98 percent. In addition to controlling combined sewer overflows, the construction of the Northeast Boundary Tunnel will reduce the chance of flooding in the areas it serves from approximately 50 to 7 percent in any given year.

Please remember to watch for our workers and your neighbors as you proceed by the construction sites.

Tunnel Boring Machine Breaks on Through!

Northeast Boundary Tunnel Project Community Day

 

PROJECT TRAFFIC STUDY

Just the facts
27000
feet
Tunnel Length
23
feet
Tunnel Diameter
100
feet
Tunnel Depth
98%
reduction
Overflow to Anacostia River
5
years
Construction duration
583
million dollars
Tunnel Cost

Keep Up to Date With the Project

The NEBT will mitigate flooding and sewer backups that have historically impacted the NE part of DC since the late 1800s and aid in the control of combined sewerage overflows to the Anacostia River.
Director Carlton Ray
When the Northeast Boundary Tunnel is completed and in service it will reduce the chance of flooding in the areas it serves from approximately 50 to 7 percent in any given year.
Director Carlton Ray

Community Outreach Meetings

The Northeast Boundary Tunnel Project (NEBT) Outreach Team is committed to providing you with the information you need about upcoming work and impacts throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to distribute newsletters, traffic advisories, and maintain an updated project webpage and a 24-hour hotline. We are following recommended safety protocols to continue this project while ensuring we meet the project's important combined sewer overflow and flood risk mitigation objectives and improve the lives of those who live and work in the surrounding neighborhoods. The NEBT Project team wishes that you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy during these challenging times. If you would like to receive email updates of the NEBT construction, please send an email to dccleanrivers@dcwater.com.

Do you have a question or comment?

Email Us Today
OR
Call our Northeast Boundary Tunnel Project Hotline:
800-988-6151