Navigating Changes: K Street NW’s Temporary Lane Closures and Parking Adjustments Starting January 13

DC CLEAN RIVERS – POTOMAC RIVER TUNNEL PROJECT

DC Water will enforce temporary closures of traffic lanes, trail reroutes, and parking limitations on K Street Northwest, stretching from Potomac Street Northwest to 33rd Street Northwest, as a component of the Potomac River Tunnel Project. Crews are scheduled to start locating underground utilities in the week beginning January 13, 2025, and anticipate ongoing efforts for about 3-4 weeks. These short-term closures aim to improve the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and workers throughout the investigation stage.

The contractor plans to utilize the potholing technique for probing the positions of underground utilities in advance of building the Potomac River Tunnel (PRT). DC Water will establish a diversion facility at this location, comprising a diversion chamber, an approach channel, a drop shaft, and additional structures to channel flows from the current combined sewer overflows (CSO) into the tunnel.

Work is projected to last 3-4 weeks, subject to adverse weather conditions. Detours will remain in effect until the investigative work is concluded. The area will be restored upon the completion of the work. The map below illustrates the detours, parking restrictions, and potholing spots.

Map: Work area on K Street, NW between 33rd and Potomac streets NW

K Street Northwest Work Information (Map)

• Hours: Monday – Friday from 9:30 am – 3:30 pm.
• Area: 3300 block of K Street, NW and Capital Crescent Trail.
• A flagger will assist pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers navigating around the work area.
• Traffic Alterations and Pedestrian Reroutes:
  • Sections of a travel/trail lane along K Street Northwest will be temporarily shut. Trail access for pedestrians and cyclists will be redirected during the construction period.
  • Parking will be prohibited on K Street Northwest in proximity to work zones, as denoted by the purple markings on the map.
  • Refer to the map for further specifics.

Crucial Information 

• Commuters and pedestrians should adhere to signage and flagging personnel guiding them through the temporary restrictions.
• We recommend planning your travel routes in advance and being prepared for possible delays. Traffic management measures will be established to assist motorists safely through the area.

Project Information

The Potomac River Tunnel represents the next significant phase of the DC Clean Rivers Project. The initiative encompasses a large-diameter deep sewer tunnel, diversion facilities, drop shafts, and support structures intended to collect flows from existing CSOs along the Potomac River and direct them to the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant. This project is essential to decrease CSOs that negatively impact the water quality of the Potomac River and subsequently the Chesapeake Bay; it also aims to adhere to the 2005 Federal Consent Decree involving DC Water, the District of Columbia, the US Environmental Protection Agency, and the US Department of Justice, amended in January 2016.

CSO outfalls discharge overflows into the Potomac River when rainfall surpasses the system’s capacity. This adversely affects water quality by raising bacteria levels, leading to low dissolved oxygen that disturbs aquatic life, and introducing litter into water bodies. An estimated 654 million gallons of CSOs currently pour into the Potomac River during an average rainfall year. The intended controls are expected to lessen the volume of CSOs into the Potomac River by 93% and cut their frequency from around 74 occurrences to four occurrences within a year of average rainfall.

For additional details 

Project Email: dcpotomacrivertunnel@dcwater.com 
Project Website: dcwater.com/prt
Project Hotline: 202-972-1388
DC Water 24-hour Emergency: 202-612-3400