Media Contact: John Lisle at (202) 671-2004
(Washington, DC) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is advising motorists that the following special events and construction projects scheduled for this weekend could impact traffic in the District.
Fire Station Naming Ceremony
The northbound lanes of Sherman Avenue, NW, between Barry Place and Euclid Street, will be closed on Saturday, July 18, from 10 am to 6 pm, for a ceremony at Engine Company 4.
Traffic cones will be used to divide the southbound lanes to maintain 2-way traffic on Sherman Avenue, but traffic delays are possible.
Lane Closures on Northbound I-295 (Kenilworth Avenue)
Crews are scheduled to continue constructing a new section of bridge deck on the northbound span of the bridge carrying I-295 (Kenilworth Avenue) over Burroughs Avenue, NE. This work will require closing 2 northbound lanes and to minimize the impact on traffic crews will work overnight, from 8 pm on Friday, July 17 through 12 pm (noon) on Saturday July 18.
One left lane will be available for through traffic or vehicles may exit and use an overflow detour by taking the Burroughs Avenue exit and then merging back onto I-295 after crossing through the Burroughs Avenue intersection.
Two lanes in the southbound direction will remain open at all times during the planned construction this weekend.
Significant traffic delays and back-ups are anticipated. Motorists are strongly advised to consider alternate routes including:
- I-395 to 50 East (New York Avenue)
- Whitney Young Memorial Bridge/East Capitol Street/Central Avenue
- Sousa Bridge/Pennsylvania Avenue, SE
Ramp to 12th Street Tunnel Will Be Closed Saturday
DDOT will temporarily close the eastbound ramp to the 12th Street Tunnel as part of the ongoing rehabilitation of the 11th Street Bridge in Southwest. The ramp will be closed from 7 am, Saturday, July 18 to 7 pm on Sunday, July 19, weather permitting.
Traffic coming across the Francis Case Memorial (14th Street) Bridge from Virginia will be required to take an alternate route. Motorists can go north on 14th Street to get downtown, or take the L’Enfant Plaza exit to D Street, SW. Detour signs will direct them to 7th Street.
The closing of the ramp is required for the construction of a temporary cross-over section of roadway at the north end of the bridge and other related work. Detour signs will help guide motorists around the area.
Reminder: Road Closures for Demolition of RFK Access Ramps
DDOT is scheduled to close a small section of M Street, SE and the 12th Street ramp from I-295 North over the next two weekends for the demolition of two overhead access ramps for RFK Stadium. DDOT is in the process of demolishing the rarely used ramps in conjunction with the replacement of the 11th Street Bridges.
M Street, SE, between 11th and 12th Streets, and the 12th Street ramp (also known as the M Street /Washington Navy Yard Ramp) from I-295 North, will be closed on the following dates and times:
- From 6:30 pm on Friday, July 17 to 6:30 am on Monday, July 20
- From 6:30 pm on Friday, July 24 to 6:30 am on Monday, July 27
Throughout this work there will still be access to the marinas and boat houses on Water Street, SE, and marked detours (shown on the attached maps*) will guide motorists around the closures.
Map 1* shows how vehicles on I-295 North will be directed to get to 11th Street, SE.
Map 2* shows where a temporary road will be built to ensure there is access to I-295 from Water Street or M Street, east of 12th Street.
Map 3* shows the detour for drivers who want to go north on I-295.
Temporary “No Left Turn” Restriction at 18th Street & Benning Road, NE
Ongoing work on the Benning Road Project will require a temporary “no left turn” restriction at the intersection of 18th Street and Benning Road, NE beginning at 7 am on Saturday, July 18, 2009. The restriction will be in place through Tuesday, September 15, 2009 to accommodate excavation, streetcar track work, construction of the median, and roadway paving within the intersection.
Detour signs will direct motorists to 17th Street, which is one-way south, and 19th Street, which is one-way north, as alternatives to 18th Street.
The restriction prohibiting crossing the intersection will not interfere with the ability of eastbound and westbound Benning Road motorists to proceed straight ahead or to make right-hand turns off of Benning Road onto 18th Street. Also, 18th Street motorists will still be able to turn right onto Benning Road.
This work is part of DDOT’s Benning Road Reconstruction Project. More information about the project is available on the DDOT website, ddot.dc.gov, under the “Major Construction Initiatives” menu selection. The Benning Road work from 16th Street to Oklahoma Avenue is scheduled for completion in December 2009.