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DC’s 3rd Street Tunnel fully reopens ahead of Monday commute

Downtown D.C.’s 3rd Street Tunnel reopened to all traffic late Sunday, ending a challenging, weeklong episode for thousands of the region’s commuters.

The WTOP Traffic Center reports the southbound tunnel reopened around 11 p.m. Sunday, shortly after DC Water completed their final inspection.

8/29 FINAL UPDATE — Great news for the morning commute: together with @DDOTDC we have completed the restoration of the SB 3rd Street Tunnel and all lanes will reopen at approximately 11 pm tonight. https://t.co/cVXLDT3GXB pic.twitter.com/9bkOv9gRru

— DC Water (@dcwater) August 30, 2021

The tunnel was shut down in the early morning hours on Monday, Aug. 23, after a water main break in the tunnel’s ceiling compromised the roadway and broke up some of the asphalt.

By Thursday, the northbound lanes of the tunnel had reopened to drivers while crews worked to repair the more heavily-affected southbound lanes.

WTOP’s Matthew Delaney contributed to this report.

Nardos Mesmer

Nardos G. Mesmer is an Associate Producer with WTOP News. She works with producers, anchors, writers and reporters to develop content for web and air. She ensures content is factually accurate, clear and concise. She also works on technical editing of sound and revisions for airing of final audio.