If you’ve traveled down Virginia Avenue, SE lately, you have likely noticed that CSX’s Virginia Avenue Tunnel project is well underway.
Street Closures: The following Virginia Avenue will remain close throughout the duration of the project: Between 2nd and 3rd Streets, between 4th and 5th Streets, and between 8th and 9th Streets. In addition, two lanes of eastbound Virginia Avenue between 5th and 7th Streets S.E. are now closed for construction.
DogMa: The block between 8th and 9th, which is now closed, is the main entrance for Dog-Ma Daycare and Boarding for Dogs. The entrance is being moved to L Street, and should be completed by August 10. In the meantime, they are offering a VALET BARKING service on weekdays from 7:00 AM to 9:30 AM and from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM to help ease pickup/drop off for customers during peak hours.
Comcast Service Interruptions: Comcast will be completing the splicing at 4th & Virginia Avenue S.E. and 8th & Virginia Avenue S.E. on the same day, Thursday, August 6th, between 9 and 11 a.m. This is part of the utility-relocation work that has been underway along Virginia Avenue, S.E. Residents who use Comcast services can expect 30-45 minute service interruptions while the splicing takes place. The anticipated schedule is:
- Thurs., August 6, 9-10 a.m.: splicing at 8th Street and Virginia Avenue, S.E., potentially affecting subscribers near that intersection on Virginia Avenue and in the 1000 block of 8th Street, S.E.
- Thurs., August 6, 10-11 a.m.: splicing at 4th Street and Virginia Avenue, S.E., potentially affecting subscribers in and around the 300 block of Virginia Ave., S.E., and the 800 and 900 blocks of 4th Street, S.E.
Open House on Thursday, August 13 : CSX will host the next Virginia Avenue Tunnel project open house meeting on Thursday, August 13, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel, 140 L Street, S.E. Members of the CSX project team and representatives from the design and construction partner, Clark/Parsons, will be available to answer questions and to provide project updates. There will be no formal presentation. All community members are invited.
VAT Text Message Service: Neighbors are invited to subscribe to a text-message service to receive updates about the VAT project. Details about signing up are available here: http://ow.ly/OPI4a.
Community Mitigation Fund Final Criteria and Phase 1 Funding Applications: The CSX Virginia Avenue Tunnel Community Mitigation Fund Committee has announced the final criteria it will use to evaluate funding proposals under the Community Mitigation Fund. The Community Mitigation Fund, provided by CSX, is intended to offset temporary inconveniences resulting from the project and to support neighborhood enhancements. The criteria and applications are available here. Applications for Phase 1 funding are due by September 15.
The fund is being administered by Near Southeast Community Partners (NSCPartners). To learn more about NSCPartners and the Community Fund, please visit www.nscpartners.org or email info@nscpartners.org with any questions.