Politics & Government

Traffic-Snarling 14th Street Sinkhole Repairs 'Complex'

Traffic may remain restricted through Thursday as crews repair a sink hole at 14th and F streets NW.

Repairs to fix the 14th Street NW sink hole and the resulting damaged water mains that date back to 1897 will be "complex," according to DC Water.

The District Department of Transportation closed 14th Street NW between Pennsylvania Avenue NW and New York Avenue NW and F Street NW between 13th and 15th Streets NW Tuesday after a sinkhole opened at 14th and F streets NW.

Work continued through Tuesday night and throughout the day Wedneday.

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The road will likely remain closed through at least Thursday night, according to a tweet sent from the official DDOT Twitter account Wednesday afternoon.

A DC Water inspector determined that concrete fell, collapsing a large section of a 54-inch diameter brick combined sewer line. The concrete may have come from an above utility casing or from the collapsed road itself.

Find out what's happening in Georgetownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to DC Water:

There are a number of utilities and old trolley tracks above the collapsed sewer, making this a complex repair. This sewer is 15 feet below the road surface and was built in 1897. DC Water anticipates approximately 30 feet of the sewer will need to be excavated and repaired.

While repairs are underway, drivers have been advised to avoid the area and expect delays. DDOT suggests that northbound traffic avoid backups approaching Pennsylvania Avenue by turning onto Constitution Avenue.


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