DC Water continues progress on Potomac River Tunnel Project
DC Water has announced the opening of West Potomac Park Drive SW, a new road constructed as part of the Potomac River Tunnel (PRT) Project. The road provides an easy way to get around the main construction site in West Potomac Park, which will remain active until the project's completion in 2030.
“As we work to improve water quality and reduce sewer overflow in the Potomac River, we also recognize the importance of maintaining access for traffic and the millions who visit West Potomac Park each year,” said David L. Gadis, DC Water CEO and General Manager. “This road will help minimize the impact on our community while we embark on this bold project to safeguard this vital water resource for our region.”
Starting November 25, the new roadway and intersection will be open for all vehicular and pedestrian traffic from Independence Ave SW.
Construction on the Potomac River Tunnel began in June 2024 with the closure of Ohio Drive and traffic was temporarily detoured to West Basin Drive SW. Following the project’s completion in 2030, Ohio Drive will be restored to its original route, and West Potomac Park Drive will be closed and restored to park space.
About the Potomac River Tunnel
The Potomac River Tunnel (PRT) is the next major phase of the DC Clean Rivers Project, DC Water's ongoing program to reduce combined sewer overflows (CSOs) into the District's waterways. The project consists of a large-diameter deep sewer tunnel, diversion facilities, drop shafts, and support structures to capture flows from existing CSOs along the Potomac River and convey them to the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The 18-foot-diameter tunnel will run deep underground beneath the Georgetown waterfront, along the edge of the National Mall and East Potomac Park, past Hains Point, and connect by gravity to the existing Anacostia River Tunnel. Construction will require two tunnel boring machines (TBMs). Starting from West Potomac Park, one TBM will mine south through mostly soft ground, and another TBM will head north to bore through rock.
The PRT 2030 completion date is required in the Consent Decree DC Water signed in 2005 with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Justice, and the District of Columbia. Once the PRT is operational, it will reduce CSOs to the Potomac River by 93 percent in an average year of rainfall. CSOs impair water quality by increasing water bacteria levels, which negatively impacts aquatic life and contributes to an increase in the amount of trash in waterways. An estimated 654 million gallons of CSOs enter the Potomac River each year by average rainfall.
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