Air Rights Tunnel Construction Begins Today

Just as a reminder, the first phase of the Air Rights Tunnel construction project begins today.  As we reported last month, DDOT's intention is to rehab the bridges over 395 to mitigate "traffic impacts on the already-congested roadways in the District."  These efforts are expected to be completed in Spring 2013 - eighteen months of construction going in and out of Penn Quarter.  Once the project begins, DDOT has promised to post weekly progress reports, which will be available here.  


See below for DDOT's outline of the first phase of construction: 

H Street and Massachusetts Avenue Bridges

×          The initial construction work zone for the H Street Bridge and Massachusetts Avenue Bridge will occupy the center travel lanes between 2^nd and 4^th Streets. 

×          Outside of the concrete jersey barriers, construction work will take place between 9 am and 3 pm Monday through Saturday and may take place on Sunday if necessary. 

×          Behind concrete jersey barriers, construction work will take place between 7 am and 7 pm.

×          At a minimum one eastbound and one westbound travel lane will be kept open during work hours. 

Air Rights Tunnel

×          The initial construction work zone within the Air Rights Tunnel will occupy the northbound and southbound shoulder lanes.

×          Outside of the concrete jersey barriers, construction work will take place between 9 pm and 5 am Monday through Saturday and may also take place on Sunday if necessary. 

×          Behind concrete jersey barriers, construction work will take place between 7 am and 7 pm.

×          At a minimum one northbound and southbound travel lane will be kept open during work hours.

Access to all businesses and residences will be kept open.