Disassembling a large crane for surface transport

April 07, 2022
RST large crane

Some of you may have become accustomed to seeing CC the Colossal Crane towering over the R Street NW construction site. Starting on or about Monday, April 11, 2022, we will say ‘goodbye’ to CC as the contractors will begin working after-hours to remove the large crane from the site. The crane will be disassembled during the day and transported at night between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. to reduce traffic impacts. CC will be replaced with a smaller crane.  
   
Removing the crane will take approximately three nights to complete. The parts will be loaded and hauled on flatbed trucks to the Northeast Boundary Tunnel Project construction site, located just south of RFK Stadium. The trucks will be escorted by safety vehicles and flaggers to help navigate turns, if necessary. 

Important Traffic Information:    
•    The eastbound and westbound lanes of Rhode Island Avenue, NW will be closed between 6th and 7th Streets, NW during the hours between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.  
•    Accommodation will be made for Fire/EMS, MPD vehicles, and Metro buses to pass through.    
•    All other vehicles will be detoured around the work zone.   
•    6th Street NW will remain open.

Motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists are urged to adhere to the posted detour signs and/or flaggers and to use caution when traveling around the work zone.   
There will be no other construction activities taking place during this time to ensure noise levels are within municipal limits, however, residents may notice transport activity past 11:00 p.m. between April 11 and April 13, 2022.   
 

Map of the detour route around the 100-block of Rhode Island Avenue NW

Project Details  
DC Water is constructing 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 starts just south of RFK Stadium and extends north to Rhode Island Avenue and west to R Street NW. To learn more about the NEBT project, please visit dcwater.com/nebp.    
Thank you for your continued support of the NEBT project. Should you have any questions and/or need more information, please contact us at the information below:

For more information, please contact  
Email: dccleanrivers@dcwater.com  
24/7 NEBT Hotline: (800) 988-6151  
Northeast Boundary Tunnel Project Website: dcwater.com/NEBP  
 

Latest News

View of Mary at bottom of shaft inside tunnel shown from above

First turn of cutterhead signals the start of excavation for the Potomac River Tunnel Project

In a defining moment for one of the District’s largest infrastructure investments, DC Water has marked its next major milestone in the Potomac River Tunnel Project. The first tunnel boring machine, Mary, has launched her northbound journey breaking through the soil to signal the start of excavation.

With the first turn of Mary’s drill-like cutterhead underground, the machine pushed forward to begin tunneling, representing the transition from years of planning and preparation to active tunnel construction on the $819 million project.

Photo of the vegetation growing back in the culvert area
  • DC Water has completed soil removal, utilizing excavators and manual digging, to expose the clay lining for the C & O Canal between locks 13 and 14. This is the final step in the clean-up process ...
Workers manually removing soil between the locks

Work is progressing on the clean-up for the C & O Canal which was used as a bypass while the Potomac Interceptor was repaired. Workers are focused on removing sludge between locks 11 and 12. Soil removal is also nearly complete between locks 12 and 14, reaching the canal's clay liner. Workers are now manually removing additional materials in some areas.

Upcoming Meeting

Board of Directors Meeting

April 24, 2023

Monday 9:00 AM

Announcement

View of Mary at bottom of shaft inside tunnel shown from above
DC Water Launches Tunnel Boring Machine Mary, Marking Important Step for Potomac River Tunnel Project

First turn of cutterhead signals the start of excavation for the Potomac River Tunnel Project

In a defining moment for one of the District’s largest infrastructure investments, DC Water has marked its next major milestone in the Potomac River Tunnel Project. The first tunnel boring machine, Mary, has launched her northbound journey breaking through the soil to signal the start of excavation.

With the first turn of Mary’s drill-like cutterhead underground, the machine pushed forward to begin tunneling, representing the transition from years of planning and preparation to active tunnel construction on the $819 million project.

Latest Blog Post
A helicopter lowers a drill rig to workers on the Potomac River.
DC Water begins drilling in Potomac River to explore options to rehab underwater sewer line
When one of your major sewer lines runs through the Potomac River, a backhoe and trencher won't do. That's why we've got helicopters carrying a 14-ton drill and workers suspended midair over the Potomac.
Upcoming Meeting
Date
April 15, 2026
Wednesday, 9:30 AM

Customer Service Center Announcement

Payment Plan Incentive: provides a credit back of 50% of the last 3 payments made. Eligible participants are residential customers who have had an outstanding balance for 60 days or greater and with an outstanding balance of $500 or more.