Neighbors reported closures between 10th and 12th Streets south of Pennsylvania Avenue SE Jan. 29. That’s the area around Frager’s Hardware (1115 Pennsylvania Ave. SE).
What happened? The perfect storm: water plus electricity.
DC Water reported a water main break just before 9 p.m. Tuesday night. Streets were closed on the 500 block of 11th Street SE, between Pennsylvania Avenue and G Street as well as on the 1000 block of Pennsylvania Avenue SE.
Fortunately, the temperature did not dip much below 39F, meaning the water did not have a chance to freeze completely and turn the block into an ice rink.
The next morning, multiple Pepco trucks showed up to continue work on a long planned, long term reliability project called the ‘G Street Conversion Project’.
That project replaces existing 4-kilovolt (kV) underground distribution lines north and south of Massachusetts Avenue SE with 13-kV distribution lines to provide more reliable energy in Southeast. A Pepco representative said customers can expect to see personnel and contractors working on underground conduit, cables and equipment installations. “As crews work, we ask customers to remain clear of worksites so crews may work safely, efficiently, and effectively,” the representative said.
Pepco said they aree coordinating with the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) to create traffic control plans that help ensure the public and our workers are safe, while keeping disruptions to a minimum. Proper flagging and signage will be used to minimize traffic delays. Our expected work hours will be Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Frager’s Hardware remained open as usual throughout Wednesday’s events and expects they will open as usual, an associate said.
