The 2,700ft-long tunnel is 80ft-160ft below ground and will excavate through frozen ground. A contractor JV of Skanska/Jay Dee secured the USD 157M design-build contract in October 2013.
District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser said, "This part of DC Waters Clean Rivers Project will bring relief to these neighborhoods that have experienced flooding for more than 100 years. The First Street Tunnel is the product of extensive collaboration between DC Water and the District agencies to find an innovative and timely solution to damaging local flooding. The project will bring needed relief to the community and help put residents on a pathway to the middle class."
