National Park Service is making progress on Beach Drive project

Road work that began on Beach Drive in September is on schedule, according to the National Park Service. (Courtesy National Park Service)
Road work that began on Beach Drive in September is on schedule, according to the National Park Service. (Courtesy National Park Service)
Work is nearly complete on the first of four segments — a nearly 2-mile stretch from Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway to Tilden Street Northwest. (Courtesy National Park Service)
The Beach Drive project is scheduled for completion in 2019.  (Courtesy National Park Service)
Work includes planting trees along the roadway. (Courtesy National Park Service)
Work includes planting trees along the roadway. (Courtesy National Park Service)
Work continues near Harvard Street. (Courtesy National Park Service)
Work continues near Harvard Street. (Courtesy National Park Service)
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Road work that began on Beach Drive in September is on schedule, according to the National Park Service. (Courtesy National Park Service)
Work is nearly complete on the first of four segments — a nearly 2-mile stretch from Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway to Tilden Street Northwest. (Courtesy National Park Service)
Work includes planting trees along the roadway. (Courtesy National Park Service)
Work continues near Harvard Street. (Courtesy National Park Service)

WASHINGTON — Road work that began on Beach Drive in September is on schedule, according to the National Park Service.

Work is nearly complete on the first of four segments — a nearly 2-mile stretch from Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway to Tilden Street Northwest.

The roadway is being reconstructed with a new gravel base, all six bridges are being repaired, storm drains are being improved, bike and hiking trails are being regraded, and trees are being planted.

“It is a very scenic route, and we want to make sure that through this project we are still maintaining the visitor experience in terms of it being a pleasurable, smooth, nice ride,” said Ethan Alpern, public affairs specialist for the park service.

While the road is closed to vehicles — complicating the daily commute through Northwest D.C. — the hiking and biking trail has remained open.

Alex Chauche of Germantown, who bicycles through Rock Creek Park two to three times a week, said he’s seeing progress.

“The trail has much improved in how it’s graded,” Chauche said. “It’s wider, it’s flatter, it’s very nice. They are doing a good job on it.”

According to the park service, work will be completed on Segment 1 in mid-summer, reopening that stretch of roadway to traffic.

The project is scheduled for completion in 2019.

“It is worth doing. Everybody will be happy later about this,” Chauche said.

Dick Uliano

Whether anchoring the news inside the Glass-Enclosed Nerve Center or reporting from the scene in Maryland, Virginia or the District, Dick Uliano is always looking for the stories that really impact people's lives.

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