Officials have moved up a planned closure of the crumbling Kalmia Road NW culvert in D.C. because the route is in worse shape than previously thought, they say.
The culvert will close Tuesday for about six months, the D.C. Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced Friday.
Kalmia Road NW connects the eastern and western portions of Beach Drive in Rock Creek Park. The culvert has washed out badly in recent years and is very close to an unsafe level, reported News4 Transportation Reporter Adam Tuss.
A recent inspection by DDOT discovered a "scour hole," which is formed when foundation material is eroded -- in this case, by heavy rain recently.
"...DDOT is concerned that another rain event could cause further deterioration of the structure and therefore will be closing the roadway ahead of schedule to replace the culvert with a new bridge," said a release by DDOT.
About 17,000 vehicles travel the route on an average day, and the closure will certainly put more pressure on East-West Highway. Pedestrian access will remain open.
DDOT had originally planned to begin repairs in late November.
