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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 in 200 Block of Second Street, S.E On October 27, 2008, the Office of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) will begin preliminary work in the 200 block of Second Street, S.E., on the underground utility tunnel 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 potentially is reaching the end of its useful life. Beginning on October 20, no parking signs will be posted on Second Street, S.E., adjacent to the businesses on the east side of the street. A test pit will be dug below the street level on the west side of the street adjacent to the Library of Congress (Madison) Building. This work is necessary to assess the condition of the utility tunnel prior to more extensive excavation. A similar test pit was dug earlier this summer adjacent to Folger Park. Test pit work in that area is scheduled to be completed at the end of October. Work on the test pit in the 200 block of Second Street will begin on October 27 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of the calendar year. Work hours will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. The sidewalk inside the work site will be closed to pedestrian traffic and secured by a chain link fence. Pedestrians will be directed to the east side of the street for safe passage. One lane of traffic will be maintained by flagmen during work hours. After 7 p.m., the excavation area will be covered with steel plating to accommodate normal traffic flow. A map showing the location of the work is attached. In a separate but related part of the Utility Tunnel Improvement Program, beginning on or about November 1, fencing and a temporary shed, which are necessary to continue with Phase 1 of the Program, will be erected on Library of Congress grounds at the corner of Second Street, S.E., and Independence Avenue. Phase 1 involves removing asbestos containing materials from the pipes inside the utility tunnel. The shed is used to ensure the safety of those working in the utility tunnel. It is 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. For more information about Phase 1 of the Utility Tunnel Improvement Program, please review the fact sheet below. The AOC has coordinated this project with the D.C. Department of Transportation, local businesses, and the Library of Congress, as well as a number of other D.C. agencies and government offices.
Information about Phase 1 of the Second Street Utility Tunnel Repair Project Phase 1 of the Utility Tunnel Improvement Project involves removing asbestos containing materials from pipes located inside the utility tunnel and re-insulating existing utility piping with non-asbestos insulation materials. This is in preparation for structural repair work, which will be scheduled upon completion of Phase 1 work. Asbestos Abatement: Removal of insulation from pipes inside the utility tunnel will not constitute a hazard to the health of individuals in or outside the work area as it is performed and monitored under Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), AOC, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Office of Compliance, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ requirements. The contractor performing asbestos removal will construct a sealed barrier around its work zone, establish negative air flow in the work area so all air is filtered by HEPA filters prior to leaving the work area, and bag and seal all waste that leaves the work area. All work is monitored by a third-party, certified industrial hygienist in addition to inspections by government inspectors. All workers are trained in asbestos removal, wear appropriate personal protective equipment while removing asbestos, and are required to follow decontamination procedures including showering before leaving the work area. Purpose of the Shed: To provide controlled access for workers entering and leaving the utility tunnel work area. The 16’ x 28’ shed will provide a shelter from the weather as well as from the high temperatures of the work area. Inside the shed will be a closed shower facility for workers’ use. Waste water will be contained and removed from the site. Some personal protective equipment and hand tools will be brought into the tunnels via the shed. The shed will be located on Library of Congress grounds at the corner of Second Street, S.E., and Independence Avenue. It will be enclosed by temporary, painted, architectural fencing. Outside lighting, similar to motion-detection fixtures that are found on homes and garages, will provide security and illuminate the shed entrance. Work Hours: Work will be conducted underground between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., and between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m., with careful observance of the District’s noise ordinances. Work will not be audible at or above street level. Working two shifts will significantly cut the overall duration of the project. More importantly, it minimizes the time that steam pipes are bare, thereby reducing temperatures in the tunnels. This is important to reduce heat stress on workers. Pedestrians will observe little or no activity from the shed except when workers report for duty; take rest breaks, or when they leave.
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.
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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...
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