OVERVIEW

The Rock Creek Main Interceptor (RCMI) is a major sewer line carrying 100 million gallons of wastewater a day. During routine inspections, DC Water identified structural issues and the need for immediate repairs to prevent a potential failure. Due to the location next to Rock Creek, any failure would risk discharging sewage into the waterway. The repairs are a high priority project included in DC Water’s Capital Improvement Program. Work will occur along Rock Creek and Potomac Pkwy Northwest starting near the John Francis Education Campus (2425 N St NW, Washington, DC 20037) and running south towards Rock Creek and Potomac Pkwy/Virginia Ave. 

SCOPE OF WORK

This project involves inspection and repairs on approximately 3,000 linear feet of the 72-inch diameter main. In order to do the work, the wastewater must be diverted from the RCMI pipeline to other nearby sewer lines. Gates at three locations—National Park Service (NPS) property near the Smithsonian National Zoo, along the Rock Creek Trail near Rose Park and along 30^th Street NW near the Georgetown Waterfront—will need to be repaired to allow them to be opened and closed to manage the flow during repairs and wet weather. Once the gate restorations are complete, flow will be diverted, allowing DC Water to perform a manned inspection and begin repairs inside the pipe. After the inspection defines the repair scope, the contractor will complete the repairs from inside the pipeline using existing entry points. This sheet gives a general overview of the scope of work for the entire project and additional detail will be provided, as needed, as the project commences.

SCHEDULE

• Anticipated construction start: September 2025

• Anticipated construction completion: October 2026

• Normal work hours:  Monday – Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

• The contractor may work at night or on weekends, depending upon certain construction activities or inclement weather

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• DC Water will work to ensure disruptions are minimized during construction operations and will restore all work sites to their original condition upon completion of the project.

TRAFFIC

• Lane closures and flagging operations may be required daily for each phase of construction to maintain traffic in the construction work zone. All Traffic Control Plans will be approved by the District Department of Transportation (DDOT).

• Notifications regarding “No-Parking” zones will be posted 72 hours prior to construction, in certain areas in and around the job site, as required by DDOT.

PARTNERS

• DC Water is working to reduce the number of times the Rock Creek Trail will be closed during construction. In addition to working closely with the National Park Service, regular updates will be provided to impacted residents and businesses, Advisory Neighborhood Commission representatives for 2A and 2E, Ward 2 representatives in the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services, and Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto and members of her staff.