May 27, 2003
The Georgetown Project Hours to Change
The Georgetown Project, the joint utilities and streetscape upgrade, will extend its work schedule by one hour beginning May 27th for the duration of the project — adding one-half hour to its starting and ending times.
With the change, crews in most locations will now work 10 pm to 8 am, Sunday through Thursday, instead of 10:30 pm to 7:30 am. In the construction zone near Key Bridge, the morning hours will be extended from the current 7 am to 7:30 am. There is no project work on weekends and certain holidays.
The project's Community Relations Team (CRT), representing area business and citizens' groups, has endorsed the plan, which is designed to help keep the project on schedule.
"We welcome any effort by the utilities to keep the project on track — or possibly even shorten it - by adding more productive time," said Ken Gray, executive director of the Georgetown Business and Professional Association.
"Adding a half-hour to both ends of the work day provides our crews 15 percent more hours to work," said Karyn Good of the District Department of Transportation and communications manager for the project. "Beginning work earlier also gives the utilities the opportunity to perform some of its heavier, noisy construction activities earlier at night," she added.
The Georgetown Project team works to minimize the impacts on residents, businesses and visitors by avoiding multiple digs, working at night and coordinating traffic and construction activities. The vibrant Georgetown commercial district remains open for business during all phases of the project.
The Georgetown Project is the coordinated venture to replace the underground utility infrastructure and upgrade the streetscape along portions of Wisconsin Avenue and M Street, NW, in Georgetown. It is a joint effort of Pepco, Verizon, Washington Gas, the DC Water and Sewer Authority and the District Department of Transportation. Flippo Construction Co. of Forestville, MD, is the general contractor.
