Press Room

Recent Press Releases

	AOC Moves Statues to Visitor Center_Sen 9-3-08
	AOC Moves Statues to Visitor Center 9-3-08
	2nd Street Work Zone Map
	FAQs about the Second Street Utility Tunnel Repair Project
	KEY MILESTONE REACHED FOR CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER
	AOC's Shimizu Receives Amer Horticultural Society Award
	CVC Recognized With Craftsmanship Award
	AOC To Begin Move of Statue of Freedom Model
	Phase I of Second Street Tunnel Repair Project

The Architect of the Capitol provides this material to assist the news media in gathering information about the Agency's activities. When appropriate, we include links to websites of outside organizations for background or further research.

Contact Information:
Eva Malecki, AOC Communications Officer
202-228-1793

Notice of Utility Tunnel Work on Second Street, S.E.

On August 27, 2008, the Office of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) will begin preliminary work on the utility tunnel which lies below Second Street, S.E., as part of its Utility Tunnel Improvement Program. The tunnel, which provides steam and chilled water to heat and cool facilities across the Capitol complex, is more than 50 years old and is reaching the end of its useful life.

Beginning on August 20, no parking signs will be posted on the east side of Second Street, S.E., adjacent to Folger Park, to accommodate the digging of a test pit below the street level. This work is necessary to assess the condition of the utility tunnel prior to more extensive excavation.

Work on the test pit will begin on August 27 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of October 2008. Work hours will be 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

The entire work site will be secured by a chain link fence and one lane of one-way (southbound) traffic will be maintained at all times. The sidewalk on the east side of Second Street will be closed, but pedestrians will have access to and through Folger Park during this time. A map showing the work zone is attached.

The AOC has coordinated this project with the D.C. Department of Transportation, as well as a number of other D.C. agencies and government offices.

+ View Map

Utility Tunnel Improvement Program

Beginning August 6, as part of the AOC’s Utility Tunnel Improvement Program, work in several manholes located in South Capitol Street will commence. The work will take place between the Capitol Power Plant and D Street, S.W., and will consist of making repairs to steam lines located below the street, which provide heat to the Capitol complex. Flagmen will maintain two-way traffic on South Capitol Street, however parking on the west side of the street will be impacted. Work is scheduled to be completed by mid-October.

Temporary Shed Construction in Folger Park Begins June 9

For your information, the fencing and temporary shed necessary to begin Phase 1 of the Second Street Utility Tunnel Repair Project is now being installed in Folger Park. Installation of the fence began on June 5, and the shed will be erected beginning June 9.

As was discussed at the community meeting hosted by the Office of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) on January 16, the repairs to the utility tunnel under Second Street will consist of two efforts. The first phase of the work involves removing asbestos containing materials from the pipes inside the utility tunnel. As we noted then, these materials will be abated prior to our starting the second phase, which involves excavating the street and repairing the utility tunnel.

In January, the preliminary project planning for the asbestos abatement work was underway and the requirements for the project had not yet been identified. This spring, the AOC identified the need to erect a temporary shed over a grate in the northwest corner of Folger Park near Second Street to ensure the safety of those working in the utility tunnel. This temporary shed will be used for approximately eight weeks.

It is important to note that during this first phase of the project that, other than the temporary shed in Folger Park, we expect the work to have no impact on the neighborhood. No asbestos abatement work will be performed in the shed. It is strictly there to provide workers with controlled, secure access to/from the utility tunnel, and most importantly, provide them safety and shelter from the weather and from high temperatures inside the tunnels.

In answer to anticipated questions, we are providing the following information about Phase 1 of the project. More...

FAQs about the Second Street Utility Tunnel Repair Project

In late summer 2008, the AOC will begin major repair work on the utility tunnel which lies below Second Street, S.E., as part of its five-year Utility Tunnel Improvement Program. The tunnel, which provides steam and chilled water to heat and cool facilities across the Capitol complex, is more than 50 years old and is reaching the end of its useful life.

The following are Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Second Street Project that were discussed during a public meeting hosted by the AOC on January 16, 2008, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. More...

Related External Links

General Accounting Office
General Accounting Office website

FEMA
FEMA website