News Release

National Park Service responds to sinkholes at P Street ramp in Rock Creek Park

Date: July 2, 2025
Contact: Autumn Cook, 771-215-6954

WASHINGTON — The National Park Service (NPS) is taking steps to ensure public safety following the discovery of two sinkholes at the P Street NW ramp to northbound Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway. The ramp will remain closed until the sinkholes are fully evaluated and corrective action can be taken. 

The decision follows a joint site visit with DC Water and a review of video and dye testing, which point to a storm drain— located near the base of the ramp and managed by the NPS— as the likely source of the problem. The sinkholes are located on the west side of the ramp— one on the roadway itself and one in the adjacent grassy area. 

“Our priority is keeping people safe while we work quickly and carefully to better understand the situation and begin repairs,” said Liam Cutri-French, a civil engineer with the NPS National Capital Region. “Out of an abundance of caution, the ramp will remain closed until we know it’s safe to reopen.” 

Steel plates currently cover the affected areas to prevent further erosion, but the full extent of the damage remains unclear. To address the issue, the NPS has formally requested assistance from the Federal Highway Administration’s Eastern Federal Lands Division, which manages road rehabilitation projects in Rock Creek Park. 

The NPS will also assume management of the temporary road closure barriers at the top of the ramp, replacing those originally installed by DC Water’s contractor. This transition is scheduled for Wednesday, July 2, at 8 a.m. 

“We understand this closure may be inconvenient, but it’s necessary for everyone’s safety. We’ll keep the public updated as we learn more,” said Rock Creek Park Superintendent Brian Joyner.  
 

About Rock Creek Park 
Rock Creek Park, one of the oldest urban parks in the nation, offers a vital green space for Washingtonians and visitors. The park protects natural resources and provides recreation, transportation, and cultural heritage experiences in the heart of the nation’s capital. 

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