DC Water Sewer Rehabilitation Project Brings Temporary Lane Closure to Canal Road, NW

Motorists advised to use alternate routes June 19 - June 26, 2017

(Washington, DC) – DC Water is performing construction activities as a part of the Sewer Rehabilitation Project for the Upper Potomac Interceptor (UPI). The project is an outcome of the intense rain events of 2015 that resulted in sewer system overflows along the Capital Crescent Trail.

Beginning Monday, June 19, 2017 through Monday, June 26, 2017, weather permitting, crews will be repairing the 18-inch sewer under the C&O Canal with a cured-in-place liner. This work will result in 24 hour lane closures on Canal Road, NW at the Georgetown University entrance just west of the Whitehurst Freeway.

Important Information:
Crews will close one westbound lane and the eastbound turning lane of Canal Road, NW at the Georgetown University entrance just west of the Whitehurst Freeway. These lane closures will be in effect 24 hours a day beginning at 7:00 pm Monday, June 19, 2017 through the anticipated completion of work on Monday, June 26, 2017.

• Temporary traffic signs will be set up to alert motorists of the upcoming closure.

• Traffic delays within the vicinity of the work zones are anticipated.
   
• Noise levels will be closely monitored during construction.

Additionally, starting in July 2017 through December 2017 the sewer rehabilitation work will require crews to set up a detour for the Capital Crescent Trail. The trail will remain open but users will be detoured around the construction activities in the vicinity of the Foundry Branch Tunnel and Washington Canoe Club. The Tunnel will remain open along with the connection (stairs) between the C&O Canal Towpath and the Trail.

Project Details
The sewer rehabilitation project is an outcome of the intense rain events of 2015 that resulted in sewer system overflows along the Capital Crescent Trail. During this event the Upstream Structure discharged sewage and flooded the Foundry Branch Pedestrian Tunnel with flows overland to the Potomac River. Since that time the Upper Potomac Interceptor (UPI) sanitary sewer system, which was abandoned in the late 1960s after a hurricane, has been rehabilitated using a cured-in-place lining. Prior to putting the UPI back in operation the Upstream and two Downstream Structures must be rehabilitated along with the 18-inch sewer that crosses under the C&O Canal to prevent future sewer system overflows.

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For more information on the Upstream and Downstream Structure Rehabilitation Project, visit dcwater.com/projects/foundrybranch.