Visit our keyboard shortcuts docs for details
The three year project to completely rehabilitate Beach Drive is done, and the whole road is open. What did we do?Over the last three years, the National Park Service and Federal Highway Administration have:
Slide to see before and after![]() ![]()
Beach Drive in 2016
NPS / Marcey Frutchey
Beach Drive in 2019
NPS / Rachel Hendrix
![]() NPS / Jonathan Shafer How did we do it?The rehabilitation project involved full-depth pavement reconstruction. This means we dug out and recycled whole sections of road and put in a new, gravel base before we put asphalt on top of it. In all, we:
We also installed a barrier to keep bamboo from damaging the Rock Creek Trail next to the Smithsonian National Zoo. ![]() NPS / Mike McMahon Workers planted more than 300 new, native trees along Beach Drive. They also worked to resurface parts of the paved, multi-use trail that runs next to the road. When you want to go for a hike or bike ride, be sure to read up on tips to plan your visit. Beach Drive near Joyce Road NW![]() ![]()
Beach Drive near US Park Police Station in 2016
NPS / Marcey Frutchey
Beach Drive near US Park Police Station in 2019
NPS / Rachel Hendrix
New pavement, railing and signs near the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway![]() ![]()
Beach Drive before rehabilitation in 2016
NPS / Marcey Frutchey
Beach Drive after rehabilitation in 2019
NPS / Jonathan Shafer
Project Schedule
The Beach Drive rehabilitation project began on September 22, 2016, and ended on-time on September 27, 2019. The four segments of the project were:
Recent News |
Last updated: September 27, 2019