Emergency Water Outage
May 29, 2026 | 05:00 PM

EMERGENCY WATER OUTAGE
May 29, 2026 | 12:00 PM

Traffic Advisory: Northeast Boundary Tunnel Brings Temporary R Street, NW Closure

August 02, 2019

(Washington, DC) – On or about Wednesday, August 7, 2019, DC Water's contractor will begin work at the 6th & R Streets, NW construction site which will require the closure of R Street between 6th Street and Rhode Island Avenue, NW. DC Water’s contractor will cut trenches across R Street to establish the water supply for a fire hydrant. This work is expected to take five days to complete and will occur between 9:30 AM and 3:30 PM to have the least possible impact on rush hour traffic. Please follow all road signs and directions.

Travel Detours and Parking Restrictions

R Street, NW

  • R Street, which travels in a one-way direction heading west, will be closed between 6th Street and Rhode Island Avenue, NW. Motorists and bicyclists traveling on R Street will be detoured south onto 6th Street. The detour continues right (west) onto P Street and then right (north) on 7th Street.
  • Parking on both sides of R Street between 6th Street and Rhode Island Avenue, NW will be prohibited during construction. Parking will be allowed during non-rush hour periods.

Pedestrian Detour

  • Pedestrians must walk along the southern sidewalk on R Street between 6th Street and Rhode Island Avenue, NW. The northern sidewalk on R Street will remain closed during construction.
  • Between R Street and Rhode Island Avenue, NW pedestrians must walk on the eastern side of 6th Street. The western sidewalk on 6th Street will remain closed during construction.
  • Pedestrians will notice signage for the closed sidewalk restricting access.

Additional Information

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

Project Details

The Northeast Boundary Tunnel is the largest component of the Clean Rivers Project. It begins south of RFK Stadium and will 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 areas it serves, as well as reduce the amount of combined sewer overflows into the Anacostia River.

###

For more information, please contact

Email: dccleanrivers@dcwater.com

24/7 NEBT Hotline: (800) 988-6151

Northeast Boundary Tunnel Project Website: dcwater.com/NEBT

Latest News

Close-up of the TBM cutterhead suspended by a crane

DC Water’s Newest Tunnel Boring Machine to Dig Tunnel’s Southern Segment

Emily, DC Water’s second tunnel boring machine for the Potomac River Tunnel Project, has arrived at the West Potomac Park construction site. Once assembled and launched, she will excavate the tunnel’s southern section.

Information for the DC Water Town Hall on a graphic

DC Water is reminding community members that it will host a Town Hall on Thursday, May 28, from 7–9 p.m. at DC Water Headquarters to discuss proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget updates and rate ...

Graphic with information about the town hall

DC Water’s proposed $1.9 billion operating and capital budget for Fiscal Year 2027, focused on Smart Spending for a Resilient Tomorrow, includes funding to help provide safe, reliable drinking water, upgrade aging water and sewer infrastructure, reduce pollution in local waterways, and continue removing lead service lines across the District.

Upcoming Meeting

Board of Directors Meeting

April 24, 2023

Monday 9:00 AM

Announcement

Close-up of the TBM cutterhead suspended by a crane
From Germany to DC, Emily Arrives on a One-Way Ticket to Help Build the Potomac River Tunnel

DC Water’s Newest Tunnel Boring Machine to Dig Tunnel’s Southern Segment

Emily, DC Water’s second tunnel boring machine for the Potomac River Tunnel Project, has arrived at the West Potomac Park construction site. Once assembled and launched, she will excavate the tunnel’s southern section.

Latest Blog Post
DC Water General Manager and CEO David Gadis recognizes Lily MacDonald during the May Board of Directors meeting.
From Classroom to Community: A Student Spotlight on DC Water's SPLASH Program
A speechwriting assignment became a call to action for water access and affordability through DC Water's SPLASH program.
Upcoming Meeting
Date
June 4, 2026
Thursday, 9:30 AM

Upcoming Events

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.