WASHINGTON — Road work that began on Beach Drive in September is on schedule, according to the National Park Service.
Work is nearly complete on the first of four segments — a nearly 2-mile stretch from Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway to Tilden Street Northwest.
The roadway is being reconstructed with a new gravel base, all six bridges are being repaired, storm drains are being improved, bike and hiking trails are being regraded, and trees are being planted.
“It is a very scenic route, and we want to make sure that through this project we are still maintaining the visitor experience in terms of it being a pleasurable, smooth, nice ride,” said Ethan Alpern, public affairs specialist for the park service.
While the road is closed to vehicles — complicating the daily commute through Northwest D.C. — the hiking and biking trail has remained open.
Alex Chauche of Germantown, who bicycles through Rock Creek Park two to three times a week, said he’s seeing progress.
“The trail has much improved in how it’s graded,” Chauche said. “It’s wider, it’s flatter, it’s very nice. They are doing a good job on it.”
According to the park service, work will be completed on Segment 1 in mid-summer, reopening that stretch of roadway to traffic.
The project is scheduled for completion in 2019.
“It is worth doing. Everybody will be happy later about this,” Chauche said.
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