DC Water to open new road to alleviate traffic during major Infrastructure Project

WASHINGTON — A new three-lane road will open Monday November 18 in West Potomac Park to ease traffic for commuters and drivers affected by DC Water's six year Potomac River Tunnel construction project. 

Named 'West Potomac Park Drive SW', the road will guarantee two northbound and one southbound lanes and a shared bike and pedestrian paths for visitors that are circling the perimeter. The road offers metered parking and has a traffic signal right at Independence Avenue SW. 

“As we work to improve water quality and reduce sewer overflow in the Potomac River, we also recognize the importance of maintaining access for traffic and the millions who visit West Potomac Park each year,” said David L. Gadis, DC Water CEO and General Manager. “This road will help minimize the impact on our community while we embark on this bold project to safeguard this vital water resource for our region.”

It is relevant to highlight that the two-phased opening will only allow right turns starting November 18, and full access with operational traffic signal will start on November 25. 

This temporary solution helps alleviate traffic during the construction of the Potomac River Tunnel, a major environmental project, that aims to reduce sewer overflows into the Potomac River by more than 90 percent when finalized in 2030. DC Water stipulated that once finalized, Ohio Drive will go back to its original route, and the new road will be used as a park facility. 

The Tunnel Project, which started in June 2024, will create a 18-foot underground tunnel from Georgetown to the National mall to handle sewage overflow that currently pollutes the Potomac River.