FAQs

Street Lights

As part of the O&P Street Rehabilitation project, street lights within the project zone are being updated or, in many cases, added. In response to public concern for safety, the finalized lighting plan increases current lighting by 40% while still preserving the historic feel of the area. You may notice a new light fixture or foundation for a new light fixture near an existing light. In many cases, the existing light will be removed at a later time. Many of the new foundations are covered with orange drums. These drums are in place for pedestrian safety and will be removed once the light poles are installed.

Once the new light has been installed and is operational, should the brightness of the light interfere with your evening routine, please contact us. DDOT will send a team to evaluate the light and will be able to make recommendations on how to lessen the impact to your home. Different options could include a shade or adjusting the wattage.

Please keep in mind that there could be unusual brightness the first night or two once the new lights are turned on. Per DDOT’s policy, any existing street lights designated for removal will stay turned on until we verify all of the new lights are fully operational. Once they are deemed as such, the existing lights designated for removal will be turned off.

We thank you for your flexibility and patience during this brief transition as we ensure a well-lit neighborhood for your safety and enjoyment.

Should you have questions regarding the lighting plan or a concern about a specific light near your property, please contact the project team at info@fixingOandPstreets.com. Be sure to include your address so that we may address your specific question or issue appropriately.

Nighttime Utility Work

As part of the rehabilitation project on O&P Streets, the one hundred year old water mains and local service connections are being replaced. Part of this work includes performing “tie-ins,” where the new pipe is connected to the existing pipe. In order to perform this type of work, the water lines must be shut off. Once the shut-off has occurred, work cannot begin until the pipes have been completely drained.

Within the O&P Streets project zone, there are six schools that cannot go without water during the day leaving night as the only option to perform the needed tie-ins.

Unfortunately, the pipes cannot be pre-cut. In order to tie-in the new, a portion of the old must be cut out, after the shut down. The general contractor has been instructed to stage all of their needed equipment and material during the day, near the planned work area. This is in an effort to mitigate the nighttime noise level staging this type of equipment causes.

There is one more shut down planned for the project at the intersection of O Street and Wisconsin Avenue. This will likely occur on a Tuesday night, again at 11pm (due to business operations in the area), at the end of February. Right now, the target dates are February 21 or 28, though this could change depending on conditions. DC Water will notify all affected residents and businesses once the date and time has been confirmed.

We apologize for any inconvenience this work may cause you and we are making every effort we can to minimize the impact of the project on residents and businesses.

My water was cut off and I didn’t know! How did that happen?
The water mains in the area are being replaced as part of the overall rehabilitation project. In order to test the new mains, occasional shut-offs to area buildings in the immediate vicinity must occur. As part of the weekly update emails, we make sure to note the date a water shut-off is scheduled. DC Water is responsible for notifying all affected buildings of the date AND the hours. Please be sure to look for notices from DC Water. If a date is noted in our update email and you have not received a notice from DC Water, please:
  • Check with other members of your household to see if it was picked up by someone else; and
  • Call DC Water to inquire as to the hours you will be without service.

DC Water Customer Service -  202-354-3600 (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.), Water Emergency – 202-612-3400 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

Is Washington Gas part of the project?
No. The gas line upgrades are not part of the scope of the overall rehabilitation project. The work is taking place at the same time as the O&P Streets Rehabilitation Project as there are efficiencies in doing so. It makes sense for Washington Gas to perform their work prior to the Project restoring the street surfaces, to avoid possible damages to the new surface later, the expense involved with the type of removal the cobblestones in this area require and the inconvenience caused by their work.The work performed by Washington Gas is not controlled or overseen by DDOT. The Project coordinates with Washington Gas to ensure their schedule allows for the Project to progress, and not be delayed by their work.If you have a question concerning Washington Gas, please call their customer service line 703-750-1000 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (except major holidays).
How does my neighbor’s non-compliance with requests from a utility effect the overall project?
When contacted by a utility company in need of making/upgrading/inspecting/etc. a connection to your home, that requires an appointment to be made, please do your utmost to secure and keep your appointment.Homes that are non-responsive to utility requests cause a domino effect to the community –

  • Emergency No Parking signs stay in place longer, in an attempt to keep street space available for equipment needed to perform the work in front of or near those homes; and
  • If the utilities are unable to complete their work, the Project is unable to move forward in that area, causing delays.

We all understand the inconvenience caused by utility work and construction. Please work with the utility companies, and implore your neighbors to as well, to ensure they are able to work quickly and efficiently as possible. (Restoring your streets AND your parking spaces!)

Who do I contact if I have a question related to my waterline?
  • Emergency 202-612-3400
  • Frederick King Jr. (DC Water Project Representative) 202-787-4325
  • Mark Landry (DC Water Project Representative) 202-787-2394

Click here to read more about your water service, your property line and minimizing lead exposure after lead pipe replacement.

When DC Water replaces the water line from the water main up to my property line, is it possible to have the line on my property replaced at the same time?

Yes!  DC Water will contact you once the service line has been scheduled to be replaced. They will send you a packet of information (in the mail) containing helpful information on this process. Please be on the lookout for this packet in your mailbox.(Information from DC Water website.)

Why is this project necessary?
This project is necessary to maintain public safety and the structural integrity of O and P Street and related cross streets. Years of use by vehicles and sinkholes resulting from leaking 100-year-old water mains have caused portions of the roadway to fail. Repairing the roadway and replacing the water mains requires removal of  historic granite pavers, streetcar tracks and other streetscape elements.
Who is the appropriate contact if someone has a question about the foundation/stability of their house during this process?
Contact Ramesh Mirchandani or Afis Idowu at the project office between the hours of 7am to 5pm.
3632 N Street NW
(202)525-3637
(202)629-4837 fax
What will happen to the existing roadway and streetscape elements?
To allow water main replacement and roadway stabilization, existing granite pavers, streetcar rails, bluestone curb and gutters from throughout the project area will be removed and used to restore O and P Street from 35th Street to Wisconsin Avenue.  From 35th to 37th Street both O and P Street will be rebuilt using full-depth asphalt. Sidewalk bricks throughout the project area will be reused or replaced. Historic elements unable to be reused will be offered to museums or other appropriate repositories.
How long is the project scheduled to last?
Project work began in Spring 2011 and is scheduled to be completed by Summer/Fall 2012. Overall project progress is reliant on weather conditions as well as work carried out by utility companies (i.e. water, gas, electric, etc.).
How will this work impact residents and traffic?
Project work will be conducted one block and side of a street at a time so as to maintain at least one lane of through traffic at all times. Residents and businesses will be given notice prior to the start of  work on their block. Good neighbor construction will be practiced. Noise and vibration monitoring be done to keep both with required levels and dust control measures will be implemented.
How will the public be kept informed about the project?
The District Department of Transportation will use a variety of methods including this website to keep the public informed about the project. Postcards were mailed to area residents announcing the start of the project. Community meetings will be held periodically to update the general public about work progress. In addition, a community relations team meets to discuss the project progress, upcoming work schedule and address issues and concerns.
What do each of the various colors marked on the roads and sidewalks mean?
The colored lines indicate different utilities:

  • Blue – Water mains
  • Orange/Red – Electric lines
  • Yellow – Gas lines
White lines, coming later, will indicate construction markings.
What hours will the crews work?
Standard work hours are Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays, when required by schedule.
If my block is closed off, will I still be able to reach my garage via the alley?
Every attempt will be made to keep alleys open and accessible. Should it become necessary to close an alley for a short duration (i.e. two days), residents will be informed ahead of time and will need to arrange for alternate parking provisions.
What is the trash and recycling pick-up process during construction?
Due to the nature of this project, each block will have its own peculiarities. The project team is working closely with the Department of Public Works to coordinate trash and recycling pick-up. Please be sure to check the “Progress” section of this site for updates when construction occurs on your block.
What is the expected impact of this project on houses with foundations on/near the sidewalk?
DDOT is utilizing means to ensure none-to-minimal impact on foundations in this historical area. There is a restriction on vibration and the types of equipment the contractor can use. The project is also using vibratory monitoring devices at critical locations around the project site to monitor vibratory impact on buildings.
What is the expected impact on the trees and tree boxes?
DDOT is work with the Urban Forestry Administration and Trees for Georgetown to ensure minimal impact on trees and creation of a better environment for the survival of these trees. Please remember that tree boxes are public property and anything put in that space automatically becomes public property as well and belongs to the city.
According to the project scope:
  • Tree boxes will be enlarged to standard size – 4′ x 10′ – where possible
    • No boxes will be made smaller but will be left as is, if enlargement is not possible
    • New boxes will be created if space permits
    • Some boxes will be closed (covered over) as they will no longer be viable for tree planting
  • All tree surrounds (brick/stone walls, wooden railroad ties, non-regulation iron fences, etc.) will be removed
  • All plantings and anything else in box will be removed
  • Tree box areas will be taken down to sidewalk level as much as possible
    • All boxes will be mulched
  • Project management will send notice prior to work so that you can remove anything you would like to save
    • Items not to be returned to box
  • No tree planting will take place within the project area until completion of project, scheduled for August 2012
  • The following species are provided by the Urban Forestry Administration
    • Betula Nigra (River Birch)
    • Gleditsia Triacanthos Inermis (Honey Locust)
    • Liquidambar Styraciflua (Sweetgum)
    • Platanus Acerifolia (London Plane)
    • Quercus Bicolor (Swamp White Oak)
    • Ulmus Parvifolia (Chinese Elm or Lacebark Elm)
    • Overcup Oak (Swamp Post Oak)
    • Nuttall Oak
    • Green Vase Zelkova
    • European Hornbeam

Page last updated November 23, 2011.

View photos and video for the O & P Streets construction project!