Washington, D.C., workers discovered an abandoned sewer line over 100 years old at risk of collapse, prompting lane closures.
Northbound 14th Street NW lanes between L Street and Thomas Circle were closed after the sewer line was discovered. The line was supposed to have been sealed with concrete half a century ago, but for unknown reasons wasn’t. DC Water warned of an “imminent collapse” of the brick-lined sewer if action wasn’t taken immediately.
“The street was initially closed out of an abundance of caution early Saturday morning, due to the instability of the roadway under the weight of vehicular traffic. Subsequent engineering investigations have confirmed that urgent stabilization measures are required to prevent the roadway from collapsing and to ensure the safety of the public,” a statement from DC Water said.
The “stabilization plan” involves filling the 42-inch tunnel with “engineered material to support the roadway above and mitigate further risk,” a process requiring “specialized crews and equipment.”
With weather permitting, the closure of the line is expected to take anywhere from a few days to around a week.
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“During stabilization, DC Water is working closely with its partners are coordinating to identify utility lines in the area to help minimize service disruptions and ensure the safety of all utility infrastructure in the area. Traffic management measures remain in place, with detours clearly marked and pedestrian access maintained where feasible,” DC Water added.
