Contact (Media Only): Erik Linden (202) 671-2004 and Karyn LeBlanc (202) 671-3490

(Washington, DC) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) advises motorists that during the week of July 8, 2007, two lanes of westbound Canal Road, NW, will shift northward at the Georgetown University south entrance to make room for construction of a new median.

The old entrance location is now closed and westbound traffic can now use the new entrance, located 300 feet east of the old entrance. Over the next month, crews will complete the construction of the new intersection, which will be open to eastbound Canal Road traffic as well.

Project background: Work began the week of January 2, 2007 with a scheduled completion in August 2007, weather permitting. The $4 million project uses a combination of federal and local funds.

Work will include widening Canal Road between the Georgetown University entrance and the Whitehurst Freeway. The project will create a functional intersection at the university entrance—with a dedicated left turn lane for inbound Canal Road traffic heading into the university.

The goal of the work is to increase traffic flow by also creating an additional lane for inbound traffic onto M Street at the Whitehurst Freeway intersection.

Work will also include the replacement all of the streetlights in the median with new decorative “teardrop” lights; and sidewalk repair on the north side of Canal Road. This will entail occasional closures of this sidewalk..

Motorists are reminded to use caution when traveling through the work zone.