Construction Updates - Georgetown

The 184.5 mile towpath of the C&O Canal begins in Georgetown, DC.

The first mile of the canal has seen multiple preservation focused projects in the past seven years.

 

 

 

Current and Upcoming Projects

 

Lock 2 in the foreground with large trees on either side and 29th St. bridge in the background.

NPS Photo/Lehmann

Locks and Walls

Timeframe: 2023-2026

Approximate Funding: $12.7M; Source of Funding: National Park Service

The park has awarded a large-scale construction project to rehabilitate multiple historic structures in the D.C. and Maryland area. These include Locks 1, 2, 5. Inlet Lock 1, Guard Lock 1, Level 4 North and South Walls upstream of Wisconsin Ave, Level 4 Wall at 34th Street. All of these sites are located along the lower five miles of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park.

The park awarded the contract for construction in calendar year 2023. At this time, NPS anticipates mobilization for the locks and walls project to take begin in early Spring 2024 and for construction to last approximately two years, weather dependent. At various times during construction there will be local towpath detours established. The National Park Service will share information on potential impacts along the towpath in Georgetown & around the work areas in Maryland as they become available. For more information see the project website.

Capital Crescent Trail Rehabilitation

Timeframe: Future

Total Funding: unknown; Source of Funding: Federal Lands Transportation Program & DC Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) Grant

NPS is working with Federal Highway Administration – Eastern Federal Lands to develop rehabilitation of 3.7 miles of the Capital Crescent Trail between the trailhead in Georgetown and the DC/MD Line. This project is currently in design.

 

Completed Projects

Locks 3 and 4

Timeframe: 2016-2019

Total Funding: $8,518,745; Source of Funding: National Park Service

The National Park Service repaired the foundation, walls, and lock gates of Locks 3 and 4. The locks were fully disassembled, the original wood foundation removed and replaced with a re-enforced concrete foundation, and the locks rebuilt using as much of the original stone as possible. The existing lock gates and hardware were also removed, and new lock gates were constructed and installed. Prior to the rehabilitation, the canal walls had been shifting inward.

Canal Boat

Timeframe: 2019 to 2021

Total Funding: $1,500,000; Source of Funding: Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development

The National Park Service in partnership with the City of DC and Georgetown Heritage secured funding from the District of Columbia Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development to bring a canal boat back to Georgetown.

The boat is modeled on designs for historic packet boats that were used on the canal during its early years of service. The new design includes modern amenities and materials such as an onboard restroom, battery-powered electric motor, and a fiberglass hull to ensure visitor comfort and safety.

In order to prepare for the boat’s arrival, Georgetown Heritage developed and implemented a design with engineering/construction expertise from NPS to install utilities at Lock 3 for the boat.

31st Street Bridge

Timeframe: 2019 to 2021

Source of Funding: District Department of Transportation

The park supported the District Department of Transportation’s (DDOT) rehabilitation of the 31st Street Bridge - a multi-year project that replaced the structurally deficient, weight-limited bridge and removed, restored, and reset the existing historic pier in the canal.

Learn more.

 

Interim Wall Stabilization at Grace Street

National Park Service

Interim Wall Stabilization

Timeframe: 2020 to 2021

Total Funding: $1,806,371; Source of Funding: National Park Service

The National Park Service completed the temporary stabilization of the dry-laid stone retaining wall located in Georgetown just west of the Wisconsin Avenue bridge near the intersection with Grace Street at approximately Mile Marker 0.70 of the Canal. Work on the temporary structure began in 2020 and was completed in 2021. This interim shoring will be used to facilitate a permanent fix as part of the upcoming locks and walls project.

Lock 2 and 20

Timeframe: 2021 to 2022

Total Funding: $468,447; Source of Funding: National Park Service

This project replaced the upper wooden lock gates and miter sills at historic Lock 2, the second lock from the start of the canal in Georgetown. This was part of a larger project that also replaced the upper and lower deteriorated timber lock gates and miter sills at historic Lift Lock 20 at the Great Falls Tavern, Potomac, Maryland.

Georgetown Visitor Center

Timeframe: 2022 to 2023

Total Funding: $529,181; Source of Funding: National Park Service

The Georgetown Visitor Center underwent exterior updates in winter and spring of 2023. The Visitor Center is open to the public Wednesdays through Sundays from 9am to 5pm and will remain open during upcoming construction.

Potomac Aqueduct

Timeframe: 2023

Total Funding: $138,921; Source of Funding: National Park Service

Replace fencing at the Potomac Aqueduct to provide a safe visitor experience. Located at mile marker 1.07, the aqueduct was designed by C&O Canal Company and the Alexandria Canal Company to allow goods coming into Georgetown to cross the Potomac River and expanding the network of canals that served as a main corridor for commerce in the early 18th century. Owned and managed by the Alexandria Canal Company from 1843 to 1886, coal boats navigated across the Potomac River using the Potomac Aqueduct on their way to the wharves of Alexandria (about 7 miles south). In 1933, the bulk of the aqueduct was demolished, with the rubble used to form seawalls at Anacostia Park. Today, only the abutments on either side of the Potomac River remain.

The aqueduct has been closed to the public for over a decade for visitor safety and the protection of this unique structure. Fencing, railings, and signage have been in place asking visitors to not enter this area since the early 2010s and it is listed as a closed area in the Superintendent’s Compendium. NPS has recently replaced the existing chain link fencing at the Potomac Aqueduct with a non-scalable fence as part of ongoing safety and preservation efforts. This fence prevents access to the aqueduct platform where there is a serious fall risk. The park encourages visitors to recreate responsibly and respect fenced areas.

 

Partnerships

NPS is dedicated to enhancing the visitor experience in Georgetown. The park supports multiple partnership efforts including regular volunteer clean-ups with the C&O Canal Trust and the interpretive boat operation with Georgetown Heritage.

 

The C&O Canal Trust was founded in 2007 as the official nonprofit partner of the C&O Canal National Historical Park. As the Park's official “Friends Group,” the C&O Canal Trust is committed to raising funds and resources to provide a margin of excellence for the Park and to enhance the visitor experience. The C&O Canal Trust regularly holds volunteer clean-ups in Georgetown.

 

Georgetown Heritage was founded in 2014 to support the National Park Service in Georgetown. Georgetown Heritage offers walking tours, supports the NPS visitor center in Georgetown, and offers boat tours.