Sinkhole at 17th Street, NW, Diverts Traffic for Sewer Repairs

January 24, 2019
Sewer Repairs

DC Water crews remain on the scene of a hole that opened in the roadway at 17thand D Streets, NW. DC Water is currently continuing excavations and shoring of a trench to expose a 39” x 58” sewer that was damaged.

The repairs are expected to take close to a week and require road closures as follows:

  • 17th Street, between C and E Streets, NW; and
  • D Street, between 15th and 17th Streets, NW

A DC Water sewer investigator yesterday determined that a section of an egg-shaped 39” by 58” sewer line was crushed when concrete fell on it.
 
So far, the PEPCO lines involved have been de-energized of their 230,000 volts of electricity. There are no other utilities affected, but the repair is complex. Once the sewer damage is exposed and assessed, repairs can begin. After the repair, PEPCO will return to restore the power lines, which will be followed by the restoration of the roadway.
 
DC Water will provide updates throughout the process, which may take up to a week or more. The intersection remains closed to vehicular traffic at this time.

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Community Meeting Graphic

While DC Water has completed the emergency repair of the Potomac Interceptor, we are committed to transparent communication with the community who still have questions about the work and ongoing ...

Odor Control Measures near Open Trench with Pumps

Work continues on the initial clean-up of the C & O Canal which was temporarily used as a bypass during the emergency repair of the Potomac Interceptor. Additional efforts are also underway on a freshwater dam at Lock 14, which will be used to help flush the sludge and debris.

As the environmental rehabiltation efforts continue, crews also made preparations to secure fencing, equipment, and materials in anticipation of high winds and severe weather.

Workers constructing the freshwater dam to be used for flushing the C & O Canal

With flow returned to the Potomac Interceptor work has begun on the initial phase of clean-up for the C & O Canal which had been used as a bypass to redirect wastewater around the collapse site and into the pipe further downstream.

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Board of Directors Meeting

April 24, 2023

Monday 9:00 AM

Announcement

Picture of new bike pedestrian path and traffic detour
New Path for Capital Crescent Trail Opens at Georgetown Waterfront Park

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.

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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.
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