Northeast Boundary Tunnel Project
Rhode Island Avenue NW
Instrument Installation
March 4, 2021
Greetings Neighbors.
DC Water’s contractor continues to install extensometers along Rhode Island Avenue NW from North Capitol Street NW to R Street NW in preparation for the arrival of the tunnel boring machine. Extensometers are deep borehole monitors installed to measure any soil displacement during the construction of the tunnel.
The contractor is currently installing extensometers along Rhode Island Ave. NW between 3rd Street and Florida Avenue NW. It takes approximately 3 to 4 days for each instrument to be installed. A geotechnical drill rig (pictured) is being used for the installation process and is occupying one lane of Rhode Island Avenue NW causing traffic to go around the construction. Residents will experience parking restrictions and lane changes during work hours. Parking restrictions will be removed each day at 3:30 pm.
Work is taking place between 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM, weather permitting and is anticipated to be completed in mid-April.
Image: A geotechnical drill rig
Traffic & Parking Restrictions
Commuters and pedestrians will notice road signs and/or flagging personnel directing them safely around the work site.
Parking restrictions will be in place. Please do not park in the temporary No Parking areas. When the work is complete, the signs will be removed.
Before the team demobilizes from the site, the work area will be cleaned, all drilling equipment and debris will be removed.
Project Details
The Northeast Boundary Tunnel (NEBT) is the largest component of the Clean Rivers Project. It begins south of RFK Stadium and will extend north to Rhode Island Avenue NE and west to 6th Street NW. Once the NEBT is connected to the other Clean Rivers tunnels, combined sewer overflows to the Anacostia River will be reduced by 98 percent. The NEBT will also reduce the chance of flooding in the areas it serves from approximately 50 to 7 percent in any given year.
