September 2, 2025 Newsletter
Hello neighbors,
My big news of the week is that Washington Gas has a construction project coming up, and I am asking for your feedback before I give them the okay to start work. The quick bullet points:
• The DC 295 ramp from Benning Road will need to be entirely closed so Washington Gas can move a gas line.
• They are proposing to shut down the ramp "after hours" - from 7 PM to 7 AM, Monday through Friday, starting as early as September 15 and lasting 8-10 weeks.
• They are hoping that these hours will cause less interference than shutting down the ramp during the day.
• As ANC of our Single Member District, I have to give them approval for after hours work; if I don't, the work will happen during the day.
○ As of right now, I think the "after hours" option is the right choice. There's a lot of traffic on the ramp at all hours, but it sounds like 7 PM to 7 AM will be the less disruptive option.
What do you think? I have already asked them how the closure will impact traffic on 36th Street and where work trucks will be stationed, and I'm awaiting a response. Below this letter, I'm going to include all of the information they sent me so far. What other questions do you have about the closure that I can ask? Please respond to this email with your questions, and please share this information with your neighbors who are not on my email list.
Thanks,
Katie
This is the message Washington Gas sent me:
I am writing today, in hopes that you will grant approval for an upcoming Washington Gas construction project. The Department of Buildings (DOB) requires the approval from ANC’s, to accompany permit applications.
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is undertaking a transportation improvement project for Benning Road, NE, including the reconstruction of the Benning Road/DC-295 interchange from 34th Street to Minnesota Avenue, NE. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, with advanced utility relocations commencing mid-September to avoid potential delays to the improvement project.
Washington Gas will be relocating 12-inch underground high pressure main along the access ramp to DC 295 in ANC 7D04. Portions of this work will require full closure of the ramp. During this time, detours will be clearly signed to direct traffic to alternate access via Minnesota Avenue and Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue. Given Benning Road’s role as a major arterial corridor with significant daytime traffic, Washington Gas is proposing nighttime construction to minimize congestion, ensure public safety, and reduce disruption to residents. Our projected start date will be between September 15 and September 22, 2025. Our hours of operation will be from 7:00pm to 7:00am, Monday through Friday. We are committed to mitigating noise impacts on nearby neighborhoods and complying fully with DDOT regulations. Once permitted, this work will occur over an estimated 8–10-week period.
Family Survey - Out of School Time (Afterschool and Summer Programs) in D.C.
As a parent/guardian of a school-aged child or youth (K-12th Grade) living in the District of Columbia, we would like to understand your needs, interests, and any barriers to your child's participation in out-of-school-time (afterschool and/or summer) programming, for the purpose of continuous improvement.
YBA Play: Free Baseball Experience from Nats Academy with dinner & snack from DC Central Kitchen!!!
Fall sessions begin September 8 - register today!
DC Senior Games
Registration for the DC Senior Games is OPEN. The games will take place across several venues, August - November, 2025. Participants may qualify for the next National Senior Games. DC residents, age 50 and over, as of December 31, 2025, are eligible to participate in the Senior Games.
🎥 Film the Police DC 🎥 - A project of Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid and Harriet’s Wildest Dreams
In response to the federal government’s increased occupation of the District, the DC community has stepped up. Over the past three weeks thousands of community members have become copwatchers, sending countless videos and photos of cops, feds, and military occupying our city to MSMA and HWD.
Now, we’re coming together to make this process easier for you by creating one unified place for submissions: report@filmthepolicedc.org.
* Reminder: for active enforcement (arrests, detentions, active checkpoints) please still call the MSMA hotline at 202-335-1183) *
Learn more at filmthepolicedc.org