Construction Updates - Georgetown

Reconstruction of the Lock 3 walls is nearing completion.  May 2018

National Park Service

Lock 3

Current Progress - Updated 7/13/2018

• Reconstruction of Lock 3 walls-In Progress
  • The walls of the lock are now largerly rebuilt, current work involves finishing work and reviews by the project team.
  • Reinstalling copping stones-Complete
    (top course of stones)
  • Backfill and rubble stone work-north and south walls-In Progress
  • Reassembling radius walls
    (curved sections of lock walls)-Finishing Work
  • Repointing the lock walls-Finishing Work
• Lock gate fabrication off-site-In Progress
• Stormwater drainage and utility work-In Progress

Upcoming Work

• Installation of tree pits - south side
• Additional finishing work on lock wall reconstruction
• Additional stormwater drainage and ultility work
• Installation of lock gates
• Reconstruction of surrounding landscaping

 

 

Lock 3 - Fully dissembled - July 2017 National Park Service

Reconstructing the walls of Lock 3 National Park Service

Construction Progress July-November 2017

These two images show the progress on reconstructing Lock 3. The lock is being reconstructed from a combination of original and new stones. The large stone piles in the foreground are rubble stone which will be used behind the cut stone of the lock walls themselves. The stone for the walls is stored just to the left of the construction area. This view is from Thomas Jefferson Street Bridge.

 

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Lock 3 work - March 2017 National Park Service

Lock 3 work - July 2017 National Park Service

Construction Progress - March-July 2017

These images show the before and after of the disassembling of Lock 3. The first image was taken in March 2107 just as the work to remove the lock walls began. Workers mapped and labeled all the individual stones and as many of them as possible with used in the reconstruction. The rock piles in the foreground are not stone from the lock walls stone its rubble stone which was used to fill behind the lock walls. Preparation work is underway to begin the lock reconstruction.

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Newly repointed walls of Lock 4

Lock 4

Current Progress - Updated 7/13/2017

• Construction of new lock gates (off-site) - In Progress
• Work on concrete mitre sill * - In Progress
• Repointing rubble stone walls- Complete
• Repointing ashlar stone walls- Complete
• Removal of scaffolding - Complete

*repointing is the removal and replacement of weathered mortar

Upcoming Work

• Additional work on the upstream concrete mitre sill
• Installation of lock gates

*a mitre sill is the raised part of the bed of a canal lock against which the parts of the gates abut in closing.

 

 

FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions):

Impact to Surrounding Area

The National Park Service and its contractors will make great efforts to minimize any negative impact of this work on the surrounding area. See the map below for the boundaries of the work area.

Q: Will the canal be drained for this construction project?
A: As of October 26, 2016, The canal was drained from Lock 5 to the Georgetown boundary during construction.

Q: Will the canal be drained for the whole duration of the project?
A: Yes, de-watering the canal is important to in relation to both of the workers and to protect the work itself.

Q: What will happen to the Justice Douglas statue?
A: As of the December 6, 2016, the Justice Douglas bust and support were crated and transferred to the Museum Resources Center in Hyattville, Maryland for cleaning and restoration. It will be put back in place after construction at Locks 3 and 4 is complete.

Q: How will site access be limited during construction?
A: A chain link fence will be erected around the job site to ensure safety, and all building materials and activities will remain within the fence line. There will be no public access to the fenced-in area.

Q: What road closures, if any, will happen?
A: The Canal towpath will be closed between Thomas Jefferson and 30^th Streets NW. The towpath, pedestrian and bicycle traffic will be redirected to Water Street and M Street. Please note that bicycles are to follow rules of the road and flow of traffic. Both streets are one-way. Both 30^th Street and Thomas Jefferson Street NW will remain open to traffic for the duration of construction.

Q: Why was the European Basswood tree taken down?
A: For the heavy-lifting of the project to begin, the European basswood tree near Lock 3 had to, unfortunately, be removed. The park worked with engineers and restoration experts to try to work around the tree during construction, but there was no way to do so and keep the tree intact.

Q: Will there be any parking limits because of the construction area?
A: A construction area entrance on 30th Street NW will occupy one or two street parking spaces.

Q: When will construction work happen during the week?
A: Work will occur during regular business hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.