D.C. tackles urgent repairs on 72-inch sewer line carrying 100 million gallons a day
(UI) — DC Water is launching the first phase of major repairs on the Rock Creek Main Interceptor (RCMI), a 72-inch sewer line that carries more than 100 million gallons of wastewater each day. The project comes after engineers discovered structural vulnerabilities in May that raised concerns about potential sewage discharges into Rock Creek.
As part of Phase 1 construction, a segment of the Rock Creek Multi-Use Trail will be closed from 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5. The closure extends from P Street NW to Pennsylvania Avenue NW, with a detour available via Rose Park. One lane of southbound Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway NW will also be closed during the work.
This first stage will restore one of two critical gates used to manage wastewater flow, a necessary step before internal pipe inspections and full-scale rehabilitation begin later this fall. The gates, located near the Smithsonian National Zoo, Rose Park, and the Georgetown Waterfront, allow DC Water to divert flow during construction and increase system capacity during storms, reducing the risk of overflow into local waterways.
Phase 2, scheduled to run through September 2026, will involve internal restoration of about 3,000 feet of the sewer line.
DC Water said crews will monitor noise and traffic impacts throughout construction and provide updates as work progresses.
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