Emergency Closure on 14th St NW and Rolling Delays for Peace Walk

Commuter Alert: Major Northbound Closure on 14th Street NW

Commuters heading into the heart of the District this morning face a significant disruption on 14th Street NW. DC Water has implemented an emergency closure of all northbound lanes between L Street NW and Thomas Circle. This urgent measure follows the discovery of an abandoned, century-old brick-lined sewer tunnel beneath the roadway that poses an imminent risk of collapse. Engineering crews are currently on-site working to stabilize the ground by filling the 42-inch tunnel with engineered material. This closure is expected to remain in place through the middle of the week. Drivers are strongly advised to use 13th Street or 15th Street as alternate northbound routes to avoid heavy congestion near Thomas Circle.

Arlington Rolling Road Closures: Walk for Peace

For those commuting from Northern Virginia, be advised of significant rolling road closures in Arlington today, Monday, February 9. A pilgrimage of Buddhist monks participating in the Walk for Peace is scheduled to enter the area from Alexandria in the early afternoon. The Arlington County Police Department will be managing rolling closures along several major corridors, including Route 1, Crystal Drive, Army Navy Drive, Columbia Pike, and Washington Boulevard. The walk is expected to conclude at Marymount University on N. Glebe Road. Motorists should anticipate intermittent delays and are encouraged to seek alternate routes through late afternoon.

Metrorail and Federal Status

The federal government is operating on a normal status today, with the Office of Personnel Management confirming that agencies are open and employees are expected to arrive on time. Metrorail service is largely operating on a standard weekday schedule; however, riders on the Red Line should prepare for late-night service changes. Starting at 10:00 p.m., trains will single track between Silver Spring and Forest Glen to allow for essential tunnel leak mitigation work. Commuters traveling late this evening should allow for an additional 15 to 20 minutes of travel time.

Ongoing Roadworks and Paving

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has several active paving and restoration projects that may impact local travel throughout the day:

• Ward 1: Expect periodic lane restrictions on Georgia Avenue NW between Howard Place and surrounding blocks.
• Ward 6: Maintenance is scheduled for 11th Street NW between East Capitol Street and Constitution Avenue NW, as well as Independence Avenue SW near 9th Street.
• Potomac Interceptor: Ongoing repair work continues along the Clara Barton Parkway near the I-495 interchange due to a previous sewer collapse. While a bypass system is in place, heavy equipment near the shoulder may slow traffic during peak hours.