(Washington, DC) – In preparation for construction associated with the DC Water Northeast Boundary Tunnel (NEBT) (dcwater.com/NEBT), contractors will remove portions of the medians on Rhode Island Avenue, NW between 2^nd Street and North Capitol Street, NW. This removal is needed to allow for various detours and lane shifts during construction. While the construction was scheduled to begin March 11, work was delayed as we worked with the District Department of Transportation and the Urban Forestry Division to further reduce the number of trees removed from the medians while assuring construction site safety. When the NEBT construction is complete, the medians will be restored, and new trees will be planted.

Median removal work will be completed in two phases. Work will begin for Phase 1 on or about April 9, 2019. Phase 2 work will immediately follow Phase 1. Work hours will be 7 am to 7 pm Monday through Friday.

Construction Phases

Phase 1 (Duration 2.5 weeks):

The contractor will remove the median on Rhode Island Avenue, NW between 2nd Street and First Street, NW to prepare for detours and lane shifts.

Travel and Parking Restrictions: 

• Traffic on Rhode Island Avenue, NW will be reduced from three lanes to two lanes and 24-hour parking restrictions will be in place for the following locations:
  
  • The eastbound side of Rhode Island Avenue, NW between 3rd Street and First Street, NW. 
  • The westbound side of Rhode Island Avenue, NW between North Capitol Street and 2nd Street, NW. 

Phase 2 (Duration 2.5 Weeks):

The contractor will remove the median along Rhode Island Avenue NW between First Street and North Capitol Street.

Travel and Parking Restrictions: 

• Traffic on Rhode Island Avenue will be reduced from three lanes to two lanes and 24-hour parking restrictions will be in place for the following locations:
  
  • The eastbound side of Rhode Island Avenue NW between 3rd Street NW and First Street NW. 
  • The westbound side of Rhode Island Avenue NW between North Capitol Street NW and 2nd Street NW. 

Additional Information

• People who live or work near the affected location(s) may notice additional equipment as well as noise associated with construction activities.
• Commuters and pedestrians may notice road signs and/or flagging personnel directing them around the work site.

DC Clean Rivers has worked closely with the District Department of Transportation, Department of Energy and Environment, Urban Forestry Division, and other supporting agencies to design a plan that minimizes impact to traffic and pedestrian travel and conserves several trees important to the landscape of the neighborhood. 

Project Details

The NEBT is the largest component of the Clean Rivers Project and will start south of RFK Stadium and extend north to Rhode Island Avenue, NE, and west to 6th Street, NW. When complete, the approximately five-mile long tunnel will significantly reduce chronic flooding in the areas it serves, while reducing the amount of combined sewer overflows into the Anacostia River.
 

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For more information, please contact

Email: dccleanrivers@dcwater.com

Northeast Boundary Tunnel Project Webpage: dcwater.com/NEBT

24/7 Hotline: (800) 988-6151