Photo by L. Shanley

The sinkhole that opened a week ago at the intersection of 14th and F streets NW continues to frustrate downtown traffic, as several road closures that went into effect when the hole opened are expected to remain in effect through the week. The District Department of Transportation said yesterday that crews will be working on repairs to the 15-foot-deep chasm for several more days.

As a result, northbound 14th Street remains closed between Pennsylvania and New York avenues NW, and F Street is shut between 13th and 15th streets NW in both directions. Southbound lanes of 14th Street are open, but on-street parking is suspended.

Metro continues to reroute its southbound 52 and 54 bus routes around the affected area. Authorities are also advising people coming in from Virginia to avoid using the 14th Street Bridge.

The sinkhole was created by a broken storm drain that also caused a second rupture in the normally busy intersection. Workers repairing the broken drain and eventually filling in the sinkhole have had their work complicated by various factors, including the presence of old streetcar tracks a few feet down.