Media Contact:  Karyn Le Blanc at (202) 497-4572

(Washington, DC) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) completed phase one of the Eastern Market streetscape work on schedule. DDOT committed to finishing phase one by early June. Work began in early March and DDOT closed 7th Street SE from North Carolina to C Street to help expedite the construction. The road will be reopened on Monday, June 1.

“Closing the street was a key factor in completing the project on time,” said DDOT Director Gabe Klein. “We want to extend our appreciation to the community, residents, and businesses for their patience during the construction. The end result befits such an important historic icon as Eastern Market.”

The new streetscape included total removal and upgrade of the existing roadway and bed, installation of new , stamped concrete at crosswalks, brick sidewalks, granite curbing, new lighting and utility upgrades.

Phase two (7th Street, SE from C Street to Pennsylvania Avenue) will begin on Monday, June 1 and is scheduled for completion by September 30, 2009, weather permitting. During phase two only one half of the roadway will be closed. Two-way traffic will be maintained with one lane in each direction during weekdays. There will be no work conducted on the weekends.

The remaining work consists of furnishing and installing a new 8-inch water main with service connections to the adjacent properties, installing new curb and gutter or resetting historic blue curb stone, new molded brick sidewalks, new historic globe and tear drop street lights, and ADA compliant ramps.

To accommodate weekday 7th Street customer needs, new public parking is available at the Hine School lot between Pennsylvania Avenue, SE and C Street, SE from 6 am to 7 pm. This parking will not be available on weekends.