The Albemarle Street closure in May 2025, after the installation of sound-dampening panels.
The Soapstone Valley sewer rehabilitation project has taken a big and “important step” toward completion.
“We are pleased to share that the Soapstone project has reached a significant milestone with the successful [September 26th] installation of Shot #10, the final segment of cured-in-place pipe (CIPP),” wrote DC Water on October 2nd. “This achievement marks an important step in strengthening the reliability of the sewer system.”
The relining of the 325-foot segment completes the rehabilitation of the 6,000-foot sewer pipe network that was laid in the valley well over a century ago.
But it’s not the end of the project. To reline the last segment, DC Water contractors had to excavate and enlarge a manhole on Albemarle Street east of Connecticut Avenue. Albemarle has been closed for 13 months – ten months longer than projected – due to several underground surprises.
The next steps toward full project completion include rebuilding the manhole and restoring the street. As recently as October 2nd (which we reported in our October 14th newsletter), DC Water was “working feverishly” to finish everything the week of October 19th. An emailed update on October 14th includes a new timeline.
Crews are currently rebuilding the new manhole structure upward, with material deliveries arriving regularly to support progress. The manhole is expected to be completed by mid-November (November 15, 2025), weather permitting.
Once the manhole work is completed and inspected, DC Water will reconnect the water main, followed by street restoration on Albemarle Street NW, including paving and striping. PEPCO will also return to the site to reconnect the streetlight at the intersection of Albemarle and 32nd Streets NW.
DC Water does not give a projected date for the street’s reopening.
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Charlie says
In addition to all the work on Albemarle, DC Water’s contractors have been digging at the intersections of Connecticut and Chesapeake, Connecticut and Davenport, and Connecticut and Ellicott. Is this work also part of the Soapstone project? If not, what is the purpose of all these excavations? They’ve repaved the excavations at Ellicott and Davenport, but the one at Chesapeake is still a mess.
Paul says
The DC Water work on streets around Forest Hills, Chevy Chase, and Cleveland park is probably part of the “Small Diameter Water Main Replacement Project”. They have been digging on Nevada, Broad Branch, and Linnean Avenue, among other streets. (Including an unfortunate situation where the crew inadvertently cut a gas line.). The projects page at dcwater.com has maps and info, for anyone interested in the details.
Stephanie says
I am happy to report that the giant hole in the Albemarle road is slightly less deep. It looks they are starting to fill it in. Here’s hoping we can get our road back by Thanksgiving.