Traffic Advisory - Tunnel Boring Machine Parts to be Transported through the District

May 06, 2021

(Washington, DC) -- Chris the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) completed excavating the Northeast Boundary Tunnel and will be disassembled and brought to the surface. Approximately 20 pieces must be transported via flatbed trucks from the drop shaft at 6th and R Streets, NW to the DC Water construction site near RFK Stadium. 

Three pieces of the TBM will be removed and hauled this week. The removals will occur on or about May 6, May 7, and May 10, 2021, between 11 pm and 3 am. The parts will be hauled on a flatbed trucks and escorted by vehicles and flaggers to help navigate turns, if necessary. Short duration road closures will occur along the haul route and temporary detour routes will be in effect until the truck passes.

Road Closures
•    R Street, NW will remain closed between 6th Street and Rhode Island Avenue.
•    6th Street, NW will be closed between Q Street and Rhode Island Avenue.
•    Rhode Island Avenue, NW will be closed between 7th Street and 6th Street.

Detours
Please follow the detour signage associated with each road closure. Once the transport truck has been loaded, the contractor will reopen the travel lanes along Rhode Island Avenue and along 6th Street, NW. R Street, NW will remain closed, except for the bike lane.

Haul Route
The truck route begins at the R Street construction site at Rhode Island Avenue, NW near 6th Street, NW, heads south on Florida Avenue, NW to New York Avenue, NE. The trucks will merge onto I-295, exit on East Capitol Street, SE and stop at the project construction site near parking lot 8 of RFK Stadium. 
 

Project Details
The Northeast Boundary Tunnel (NEBT) is the largest component of the Clean Rivers Project. It begins south of RFK Stadium and extends north to Rhode Island Avenue NE and west to 6th Street NW. The tunnel was excavated by “Chris” the tunnel boring machine (TBM). Its five-mile journey began in 2018 at the CSO 019 construction site located south of the RFK Stadium. It reached its destination in the Shaw neighborhood on April 2021.  Once the NEBT is connected to the other Clean Rivers tunnels, combined sewer overflows to the Anacostia River will be reduced by 98 percent. In addition to controlling combined sewer overflows, the construction of the Northeast Boundary Tunnel will reduce the chance of flooding in the areas it serves from approximately 50 to 7 percent in any given year.

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

Construction crews working with crane to prepare site for bypass

Partial Bypass Expected to Begin as Early as This Weekend

DC Water and its contractor continue to make progress to contain the sewer overflow from a collapsed section of the Potomac Interceptor (PI), a major sewer line along Clara Barton Parkway near 495 in Montgomery County, MD.  As part of that work, crews today are mobilizing equipment, clearing brush and debris, and installing pipes in preparation to bypass the flow around the damaged section of sewer line.

Image showing wastewater from manhole on Potomac Interceptor

Bypass system construction underway to contain overflow and protect waterways
Drinking water service remains safe and unaffected
One lane of eastbound Clara Barton Parkway remains closed
C & O Canal Towpath remains open; public advised to avoid contact with wastewater

Map of the impacted area.

One lane of Clara Barton Parkway Closed as a Precaution. Drinking Water is not impacted.

Upcoming Meeting

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.

Latest Blog Post
A helicopter lowers a drill rig to workers on the Potomac River.
DC Water begins drilling in Potomac River to explore options to rehab underwater sewer line
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.
Upcoming Meeting
Date
January 22, 2026
Thursday, 9:30 AM

Upcoming Events

Customer Service Center Announcement

Payment Plan Incentive: provides a credit back of 40% of the last 3 payments made and in the new fiscal year 50% will be credited. 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.