The Clean Rivers Project, was a 13 mile system of tunnels and diversion sewers throughout the District of Columbia that mitigate flooding and reduce combined sewer overflows. The First Street Tunnel (FST) portion of the project extends along First Street NW, beginning at the McMillan Sand Filter site below ground heading south bound along First Street to Rhode Island Ave NW. The FST was accelerated as part of the Mayor’s Task Force to relieve street and basement flooding in the Bloomingdale and LeDroit Park areas.

DC Water hired Design-Build firm of Skanska-Jay Dee Joint Venture to construct the tunnel and associated structures based on technical score and cost proposal. Fort Myer Construction was retained as a subcontractor to assist in temporary and permanent site work including driveways, erosion control, and utility work including replacing pipelines. In October, 2014 Fort Myer Construction replaced 320 feet of a critical 30 inch ductile iron water transmission line located in Adams Street NW. Local residents did not lose potable water service or water pressure since the 30 inch regional line was isolated from the distribution system in advance of the work.

 

Project Significance

Safety is always a priority at Fort Myer and this project exemplifies a safe work site. The large pipeline we replaced is critical to the water transmission system therefore the work had to be completed as soon as possible. During portions of the work, crews are staffed around the clock, then crews worked twelve hours a day, six days per week, with three crews until the water line replacement work was complete. By utilizing innovative industry methods, all measures to mitigate public disruption during the project were used.