(Washington, DC) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is advising travelers that the National Park Service (NPS) is about to start a major project to rehabilitate and improve Constitution Avenue, NW, between 23rd and 15th Streets. NPS, which maintains that section of Constitution Avenue, has been working to notify the public about the expected impacts on vehicular and pedestrian traffic, which could be significant, and below is the complete advisory released by the Park Service.

More information is also available on the project website . Travelers are also encouraged to visit goDCgo.com  to explore transportation options in the District.

National Park Service Traffic Advisory

Washington DC - Starting March 21, 2011, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division (EFLHD) will begin to administer a contract for the National Park Service (NPS) to rehabilitate and improve Constitution Avenue, between 23rd and 15th Streets, NW, with the project affecting the roadways intersecting Constitution Avenue, N.W. from 23rd and 15th Streets, N.W.

The roadway rehabilitation will start from 23rd Street and move eastward toward 15th Street, with work to be done in one-block sections. The $10.26 million project has been awarded to Fort Myer Construction Company of Washington, D.C.

Work activities will include rehabilitating sections of roadway, replacement of the storm drainage system, 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. The contractor will provide an acceptable pedestrian detour prior to removing sidewalk in one-block sections.

Other than previous re-paving work, this is the first major, comprehensive rehabilitation of Constitution Ave., N.W. in approximately 60 years. When completed, this road reconstruction 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.

Pre-rehabilitation road work is scheduled to begin the week of March 21st, 2011, continuing to the week of April 10, 2011. The pre-rehabilitation work will include temporary parking lane closures during non-rush hour, and will be performed in one block sections. Major Rehabilitation is scheduled to begin the week of April 10, 2011. Work will be performed in one block sections, with no more than two lanes in each direction closed at any time.

Motorists and pedestrians will be notified of lane closures via construction signs and variable message boards, which will be posted during the entire rehabilitation process, as well as via the District of Columbia Department of Transportation’s (D-DOT) Instant Message Alert system*.

The NPS and EFLHD will keep the public updated regarding both progress, any changes to the rehabilitation process and any lane closures via weekly Traffic Advisories and updates made to the EFLHD website, at www.efl.fhwa.dot.gov/projects/traffic-advisory.aspx . Contact information is also available on the website.

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. Such operations include, but are not limited to, trucks and other equipment entering or exiting the flow of public traffic.

Side streets, with the exception of 16th Street N.W., may be closed from 7:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. on weekdays as approved by EFLHD. The public may encounter detour traffic patterns during rehabilitation. At 16th Street N.W. and Constitution Avenue, access will be maintained at all times. The contract will not close the following combinations of side streets at the same time: 23rd Street and Henry Bacon Street, or 18th Street and Virginia Avenue, N.W.

No rehabilitation work on Constitution Avenue will be conducted during these events:

• National Cherry Blossom Festival, which runs from Saturday, March 26th through and including Sunday, April 10th;
• The White House Easter Egg Roll, scheduled for Monday, April 25th;
• Memorial Day, including the National Rolling Thunder motorcycle ride;
• The July 4th Independence Day celebration, with no work performed including lane closures or other temporary traffic control operations from June 27 to July 4th;
• The Marine Corps Memorial, Sunday, October 30th;
• The National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in early December;
• No work will be permitted on National legal holidays with the exception of Columbus Day. EFLHD may order work to be stopped on days with special events or public demonstrations occurring in the vicinity.

Project execution is designed with safety in mind. The contractor is required to not leave any open holes or trenches within the work area on Constitution Avenue during this period. The contractor will maintain ADA compatibility to all areas accessible to the public.

The planned completion date for all work is scheduled for early 2012. Weather may require adjustments to the schedule. The NPS will continue to inform the public and the media of any adjustments in the work schedule. Every effort is being made to minimize traffic delays and accomplish the work in a timely manner.

Changes to the Suggested Alternate Routes are expected as work progresses. The EFLHD and the NPS will update the Suggested Alternate Routes with changes posted at www.efl.fhwa.dot.gov/projects/traffic-advisory.aspx .

Suggested Constitution Avenue Alternate Routes

INBOUND WASHINGTON, DC HEADING EAST FROM VIRGINIA:

Entering City from Key Bridge:

Destination – North of Constitution Avenue and east of 14th Street:

• Whitehurst Freeway straight to K Street right onto 14th Street;
• Whitehurst Freeway eastbound and take E Street exit onto I-66 and exit onto E Street Expressway take Virginia Avenue exit and merge onto Virginia Avenue. Turn right onto 19th Street southbound and turn left onto Constitution Avenue (eastbound).

Destination – South and East of Constitution Avenue (14th Street):

• Whitehurst Freeway east to E Street exit onto I-66; follows signs to Independence Avenue. Continue on Independence Avenue or turn left onto 15th Street northbound.

Entering City from Theodore Roosevelt Bridge (Rtes 50 and I-66):

Destination – North of Constitution Avenue:

• E Street exit north to Virginia Avenue. Merge left onto Virginia Ave., right onto 19th Street southbound to left onto Constitution Avenue heading east.

Destination – South and East of Constitution Avenue (14th Street):

• Independence Avenue exit south to Independence Avenue. Continue on Independence Avenue or turn left onto 15th Street northbound.

Entering City from Memorial Bridge:

Destination – North of Constitution Avenue:

• Best alternative is to use Theodore Roosevelt Bridge or Key Bridge.

Destination – South and East of Constitution Avenue (14th Street):

• Bear right at Lincoln Circle and turn left onto Independence Avenue. Continue on Independence Avenue or turn left onto 15th Street northbound.

Entering City from I-395 North:

Destination – North of Constitution Avenue and east of 14th Street:

• Bear left onto 14th Street. Continue north on 14th Street.
• Exit I-395 at 12th Street. Continue north on 12th Street under the National Mall to north of Constitution Ave, N.W.

OUTBOUND WASHINGTON, DC, HEADING WEST:

Exiting City via Key Bridge:

Origination – North of Constitution Avenue and East of 14th Street

• 14th Street to K Street (Rte 29). Turn left onto K Street. Proceed straight to Whitehurst Freeway. Follow signs to Key Bridge (right turn).
• 19th Street south to E Street. Turn right onto E Street. Bear left for on-ramp. Bear right for entrance to Whitehurst Freeway. Follow signs to Key Bridge.

Exiting City via Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Bridge (Rtes. 50 and I-66):

Origination – North of Constitution Avenue and east of 14th Street:

• 19th Street south and turn right onto E Street. Bear left for on-ramp. Continue bearing left and follow signs for Rte. 50 west or I-66 west to Bridge.

Origination – East of 14th Street:

• Proceed west on Constitution Avenue to Virginia Avenue. Bear right onto Virginia Avenue. Turn right on 18th Street and then left onto E Street. Bear left for on-ramp. Continue bearing left and follow signs for Rte. 50 west or I-66 west to Bridge.

Exiting City via Memorial Bridge:

Origination – North of Constitution Avenue:

• Exit City from either Key Bridge or Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Bridge

Origination – South of Constitution Avenue and East of 14th Street:

• Follow Independence Avenue west. Take right exit immediately after driving under Memorial Bridge. Continue on ramp and up onto westbound Memorial Bridge.

Exiting City on Interstate 395 South:

Origination – North of Constitution Avenue and East of 14th Street:

• Take 9th Street Tunnel southbound or 3rd Street Tunnel southbound to I-395 on-ramp. Follow signs marked “Richmond.”

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*Note: District residents and commuters can sign up for Alert DC emergency text and email notifications at textalert.ema.dc.gov.