On August 28, 2017, Beach Drive closed from Tilden Street NW to Joyce Road NW, which is just south of Military Road NW (Segments 2 and 3), and opened between Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway and Park Road/Tilden Street NW (Segment 1).
Drivers are encouraged to start testing new routes in advance of the change (suggested detour routes and maps are below).
During work on segments 2 and 3, Ross Drive and Ridge Road, which both run through the park and are parallel to Beach Drive will also be closed to vehicle traffic until Fall 2018. The closure provides greater safety for bike commuters who will need to detour on these narrow, winding and hilly routes; will reduce traffic impacts to local neighborhoods; and will provide an alternate location for weekend recreation in lieu of Beach Drive.
As of August 28, Beach Drive will no longer be accessible to cyclists between Park Road/Tilden Street NW until Joyce Road NW. This is a change in policy, as this section of Beach Drive is designated for recreation access only over the weekend. This clsure to cyclists will be in effect 24/7.
Segments 2 and 3 will close on the same day, however NPS will reopen Beach Drive to traffic between Park Road/Tilden Street NW and Broad Branch Road/Blagden Avenue NW (Segment 2) once work is complete. Segment 2 also includes significant work on the Blagden bridge. Beach Drive will remain closed to traffic from north of the Blagden Avenue bridge to Joyce Road NW (Segment 3) until work is completed in Fall 2018.
Pedestrians and Cyclists
Park users are advised to stay alert and to follow signs, because conditions and routes will change as construction progresses. Additionally, cyclists and pedestrians are reminded to respect posted closures. Using the closed sections of Beach Drive (currently between Porter St NW and Rock Creek & Potomac Parkway) is prohibited and violators are subject to citation.
Due to very serious safety concerns resulting from the number of close calls between construction equipment and people who have illegally entered the closed area, increased patrols by the United States Park Police are being implemented in the closure area.
Project Schedule
The Beach Drive rehabilitation project began on September 22, 2016, and remains on schedule to conclude in fall 2019. The project is being completed in multiple closure segments. Each project segment of Beach Drive requires a full road closure in both directions 24/7 during the work period. The four segments of the project are:
Segment 1 (Red) - Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway NW to Park Road/Tilden Street NW - 1.82 miles (September 22, 2016 - August 27, 2017).
Segment 2 (Green) - Park Road/Tilden Street NW to Broad Branch Road/Blagden Avenue NW - 0.34 miles
Began on August 28, 2017 and should continue for four (4) to six (6) months.
Segment 3 (Yellow)- Broad Branch Road/Blagden Avenue NW to Joyce Road NW - 1.59 miles
Segments 2 and 3 will now close at the same time. Segment 2 will open as originally scheduled.
Expected to begin on or about August 28, 2017 and continue to fall 2018
Segment 4 (Black) - Joyce Road NW to DC/MD border - 2.70 miles
Expected to begin fall 2018
Rehabilitation Explained
The rehabilitation project includes full depth pavement reconstruction, which requires excavating the entire area and placing a new gravel base before new asphalt paving; improvements to pedestrian and bicycle trails in collaboration with the District Department of Transportation (DDOT); DC Water storm drain rehabilitation and improvement projects; installation and upgrades of raised pavement markers, centerline rumble strips, guardrails and road signs to provide safer road conditions for drivers; parking area reconstruction and rehabilitation; traffic signal and streetlight replacement; and the rehabilitation of six bridges.
This project will provide a safer and more pleasant trip through Rock Creek Park for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians, while maintaining the historic character of the park.
Highlights from Segment 1
There were a number of great achievements throughout Segment 1 including:
Fully replacing the roadway.
Widening and resurfacing the multi-use trail.
Enhancing the Park’s landscape and environment by planting another 100 native trees (200 more will be planted) along the road and trail.
Retrofitting the storm drainage system.
Repairing and replacing the guardrails, road signs, parking areas, traffic signals, and street lights.
Temporary Traffic Delays
Alternating Lane Closure at the Intersection of Tilden Street NW and Beach Drive
Beginning Monday, October 2, between 9:30 a.m. and 3:45 p.m., crews will be paving and replacing drainage at the intersection at Tilden Street and Beach Drive. There will be a single-lane, alternating lane closure, with flaggers on site, at all times, to regulate traffic within the work zone. This work is expected to last four weeks.
Alternating Lane Closure at the Intersection of Beach Drive and Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway
Beginning on Monday, October 9, crews will be making emergency repairs to the Edgewater Stables bridge. There will be an alternating single lane closure at the intersection of Beach Drive and Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway during non-rush hours from 9:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Immediately following work on the bridge, crews will be installing new bioretention cells for stormwater runoff in the same location. Work on both projects is expected to last eight weeks.
Lane Closure to Install Granite Cobblestones between Porter Street NW and Piney Branch Parkway
Continuing through late September, there will be a single lane closure on Beach Drive between Porter Street NW and Piney Branch Parkway, between 9:30 a.m. and 3:45 p.m., so crews can safely install cobblestones in the median of Beach Drive. Two-way traffic will be maintained, but please drive carefully and watch for construction workers on the road.
Bingham Road Closure through Rock Creek Park between Oregon Avenue NW and Beach Drive NW
Bingham Drive NW between Oregon Avenue NW and Beach Drive NW, is closed through November 2018 while DC Water works to safely rehabilitate sewer infrastructure along Oregon Avenue NW from Rittenhouse Street NW to Beech Street NW. For information about affiliated roadwork, not on park land, and detours, please visit: www.dcwater.com/workzones/projects/oregon-avenue-sewer-rehab.cfm.
Stay in the Know, How to get Project Updates Nixle: Sign up for text alerts
Nixle is a free tool that allows information to be sent through text, email, social media, and the Nixle mobile app. You can register from your mobile phone or online at nixle.com. To receive text message alerts about the Beach Drive rehabilitation project, text BEACHDRIVE to 888777. To register online, visit www.nixle.com and create a user profile. After you register, you will receive information about the Beach Drive rehabilitation project including upcoming closure and detour information. You can opt out any time. Standard carrier data or messaging rates may apply.
Pre-Recorded Information Line
Commuters and visitors can call 202-895-6232 for road closure information.
Construction images from the first segment of the Beach Drive Rehabilitation project. The first segment of roadway spanned from Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway to Park Road/Tilden Street NW, and included the Zoo tunnel, Zoo tunnel bridge, and brand new Harvard Street stairway and crosswalk.
(202) 895-6000 Rock Creek Park administrative offices can be reached at 202-895-6000. For general information call 202-895-6070 Wednesday - Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and dial 0.
