Constitution Avenue, NW Rehabilitation Project
The Job: The National Park Service (NPS) is conducting a major rehabilitation project on Constitution Avenue, NW between 23rd and 15th Streets. NPS maintains that particular section of Constitution Avenue. This is the first major rehabilitation besides paving of Constitution Avenue in 60 years. When completed, this project in National Mall and Memorial Parks will restore the integrity of the road, increase pedestrian and motorists’ safety, improve accessibility, and help to enhance the beauty and improve the visitor’s experience on this major thoroughfare. Work is projected to be finished in early 2012.
The Details: The project begins on the block of 23rd Street and will move east towards 15th Street, one block at a time. The construction includes rehabilitation of roadway, replacement of storm drainage systems, granite curb installation, lighting replacement, fire hydrant replacement and new sidewalks on both sides of Constitution Avenue. At Virginia Avenue, the sidewalk will be extended to provide a safer pedestrian crossing. Some large elm trees will be removed during this project in order to provide accessible sidewalks. For updates on construction progress, visit the project's website.
How will this affect me?
Work may occur during the day, nights and weekends, or at times, 24 hours a day. The public may encounter four lanes closed in one block sections during rehabilitation. Work may proceed during the rush hours, provided no more than four lanes are closed.
Side streets, with the exception of 16th Street NW, may be closed from 7:00pm. to 5:30am on weekdays. The public may encounter detour traffic patterns during rehabilitation. At 16th Street NW and Constitution Avenue, access will be maintained at all times. The following combinations of side streets will not be closed at the same time: 23rd Street and Henry Bacon Street or 18th Street and Virginia Avenue, NW.
What can I do to avoid congestion?
goDCgo is encouraging drivers to carpool to cut down on congestion during the project's duration. At times, there may be up to 4 lanes closed and work may occur during the day, at night or sometimes, 24 hours a day.
Thanks to Commuter Connections' carpool rewards
program, 'pool Rewards, setting up a carpool just got even more appealing! Besides sharing the costs of parking and gas, any new, registered carpool is eligible to earn $1 each direction, for each day your carpool to work within a consecutive 90-day period. For official entry rules and details, visit the Commuter Connections website.
Commuter Connections can also find a carpool for you by matching you with other commuters. The ridematching database is open to commuters region yide. You simple enter your commute information including time, origin, destination and the database does all the work! Commuter Connections also offers Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH). This free program is open to anyone who uses bus, rail, carpool, vanpool, bike or walk to work two or more times a week. GRH will get you home in the case of emergency, illness, or unexpected overtime up to four times a year. You can signup online by filling out a short form.
However you decide to get to work or travel throughout the district, goDCgo encourages you to check out our Interactive Map to see if there are other options to get where you are going besides driving solo in your car.
Suggested Alternative Driving Routes from the NPS: Sometimes you just need a car. For those times, there are suggested routes on page 3 in the press release. Changes to the routes are expected as work progresses and will be updated on the project's official website.