UPDATE: In an email to constituents this week, D.C. Council member Muriel Bowser says the Broad Branch Road project has been further delayed because the National Park Service is still reviewing DDOT’s construction application.
Max Smith, wtop.com
WASHINGTON – It can save you time as a shortcut, but it’s about to close for a month or more.
The District Department of Transportation is set to install a permanent fix for Broad Branch Road in Rock Creek Park, where a sinkhole opened up this April in a culvert.
The roadway re-opened in June with a temporary, one-lane fix.
“When the repairs are done we will be able to restore two-way traffic across that culvert,” DDOT’s John Lisle says.
He did not know the exact day the closure will start, but says it’s expected sometime this week.
“There’s going to be probably about 30-45 days while the construction is going on, where the road will be closed,” Lisle says.
A detour will be marked, directing drivers to Connecticut Avenue via Brandywine and Tilden streets.
“The alternates are probably the major routes that folks are probably trying to avoid in the first place, which could be Connecticut and 16th street,” Lisle says. “During the week you can use other routes to get to Beach Drive.”
That’s not an option on weekends, when Beach Drive is closed.
“It’s a big inconvenience for some folks when [Broad Branch Road] is closed… we just ask for people’s patience until we get the repairs completed,” he says.
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