(Washington, DC) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced it will begin construction on the Maine Avenue, SW Trail Widening and Eastbound Roadway Resurfacing Project on Monday, July 25, 2011.

The improvements for this project are planned for the south side of Maine Avenue, SW between the northbound 14th Street Bridge ramp and 12th Street, SW.

The project will replace the existing 4-foot-wide sidewalk with a new 14-foot-wide trail, accommodating both bicyclists and pedestrians, and replace the existing road surface. Installation of new storm water drainage elements, bio-retention areas, trees, lighting, signs, curb, gutter and fencing is also included in the project. To accommodate these amenities, on-street parking in this area will be eliminated, the number of vehicular lanes will be reduced from two to one and some driveway entrances to businesses will be realigned.

Construction for this project is scheduled to be completed by mid-October 2011. Construction activities will take place between the hours of 7 am and 7 pm, Monday through Friday and may occur on weekends between 8 am and 5 pm.

During construction, the sidewalk on the south side of Maine Avenue will be closed and signs will detour pedestrians to the north side of Maine Avenue between 14th and 9th Streets, with the Fish Market accessible only from the 9th Street area. At least one vehicle lane on eastbound Maine Street will be kept open throughout the work, except during approved temporary overnight closures.

For more information about this project please contact Project Manager Joe Dorsey at (202) 210-4542 or joseph.dorsey@dc.gov.