If your travels take you through downtown D.C., get ready to take a detour.
The National Park Service says Monday "major rehabilitation" will begin on the roadway; the first big overhaul in 60 years.
The District Department of Transportation's description of what motorists can expect sounds just short of apocalyptic:
"Work may occur during the day, nights and weekends, or at times, 24 hours a day. The public may encounter four lanes closed in one block sections during rehabilitation. Work may proceed during the rush hours, provided no more than four lanes are closed. Such operations include, but are not limited to, trucks and other equipment entering or exiting the flow of public traffic."
Planners hope the project will be completed by early 2012. Construction crews will be working block by block to perform a number of infrastructure upgrades. New road surfaces, granite curb installation, lighting replacement, new fire hydrants, and new sidewalks are all part of the project.
Next week, drivers can expect two westbound lanes to be closed between 23rd street and 20th street. The Federal Highway Commission warns that the location of the closed lanes can change daily. Weekly updates on the the project, and lane closures, can be found on their website.
DDOT says that sidestreets may also be closed. Motorists with the option of the avoiding the area are advised to do so. DDOT has prepared a list of alternate routes, which are listed below:
INBOUND WASHINGTON, DC HEADING EAST FROM VIRGINIA:
Entering City from Key Bridge:
Destination – North of Constitution Avenue and east of 14th Street:
* Whitehurst Freeway straight to K Street right onto 14th Street;
* Whitehurst Freeway eastbound and take E Street exit onto I-66 and exit onto E Street Expressway take Virginia Avenue exit and merge onto Virginia Avenue. Turn right onto 19th Street southbound and turn left onto Constitution Avenue (eastbound).
Destination – South and East of Constitution Avenue (14th Street):
* Whitehurst Freeway east to E Street exit onto I-66; follows signs to Independence Avenue. Continue on Independence Avenue or turn left onto 15th Street northbound.
Entering City from Theodore Roosevelt Bridge (Rtes 50 and I-66):
Destination – North of Constitution Avenue:
* E Street exit north to Virginia Avenue. Merge left onto Virginia Ave., right onto 19th Street southbound to left onto Constitution Avenue heading east.
Destination – South and East of Constitution Avenue (14th Street):
* Independence Avenue exit south to Independence Avenue. Continue on Independence Avenue or turn left onto 15th Street northbound.
Entering City from Memorial Bridge:
Destination – North of Constitution Avenue:
* Best alternative is to use Theodore Roosevelt Bridge or Key Bridge.
Destination – South and East of Constitution Avenue (14th Street):
* Bear right at Lincoln Circle and turn left onto Independence Avenue. Continue on Independence Avenue or turn left onto 15th Street northbound.
Entering City from I-395 North:
Destination – North of Constitution Avenue and east of 14th Street:
* Bear left onto 14th Street. Continue north on 14th Street.
* Exit I-395 at 12th Street. Continue north on 12th Street under the National Mall to north of Constitution Ave, N.W.
OUTBOUND WASHINGTON, DC, HEADING WEST:
Exiting City via Key Bridge:
Origination – North of Constitution Avenue and East of 14th Street
* 14th Street to K Street (Rte 29). Turn left onto K Street. Proceed straight to Whitehurst Freeway. Follow signs to Key Bridge (right turn).
* 19th Street south to E Street. Turn right onto E Street. Bear left for on-ramp. Bear right for entrance to Whitehurst Freeway. Follow signs to Key Bridge.
Exiting City via Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Bridge (Rtes. 50 and I-66):
Origination – North of Constitution Avenue and east of 14th Street:
* 19th Street south and turn right onto E Street. Bear left for on-ramp. Continue bearing left and follow signs for Rte. 50 west or I-66 west to Bridge.
Origination – East of 14th Street:
* Proceed west on Constitution Avenue to Virginia Avenue. Bear right onto Virginia Avenue. Turn right on 18th Street and then left onto E Street. Bear left for on-ramp. Continue bearing left and follow signs for Rte. 50 west or I-66 west to Bridge.
Exiting City via Memorial Bridge:
Origination – North of Constitution Avenue:
* Exit City from either Key Bridge or Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Bridge
Origination – South of Constitution Avenue and East of 14th Street:
* Follow Independence Avenue west. Take right exit immediately after driving under Memorial Bridge. Continue on ramp and up onto westbound Memorial Bridge.
Exiting City on Interstate 395 South:
Origination – North of Constitution Avenue and East of 14th Street:
* Take 9th Street Tunnel southbound or 3rd Street Tunnel southbound to I-395 on-ramp. Follow signs marked “Richmond.”
