The Northeast Boundary Tunnel (NEBT) Project will become operational in 2023. While the tunnel boring machine (TBM) completed its three-year excavation in April, construction continues to connect the city’s existing combined sewers to the new, high-capacity tunnel at five chronic flooding locations along Rhode Island Avenue and on Mt. Olivet Road NE. The NEBT is one of the largest public infrastructure projects undertaken in the District and one that will bring flood relief to thousands of residents.

Mount Bethel Baptist Church is located at the intersection of First Street NW and Rhode Island Avenue NW where the First Street Tunnel and the Northeast Boundary Tunnel meet. Rev. Bobby Livingston, Sr. is Mt. Bethel’s pastor and has allowed DC Water’s First Street Tunnel temporary pump station to be placed in the church’s parking lot. Along with neighboring Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church and St. George’s Episcopal Church, Mt. Bethel, the Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church in Edgewood and Bethesda Baptist Church in Ivy City have all graciously hosted DC Water-led neighborhood working groups called “Tunnel Forums.” At these public meetings, DC Water works with residents to address construction impacts.

“Our local churches are the beating heart of our communities,” said David L. Gadis, DC Water’s Chief Executive Officer and General Manager. “We would have been far less effective with our efforts to reach residents about the impacts and benefits of this project were it not for the relationships we’ve nurtured with churches along the alignment of the tunnel.”

During intense rain events, the capacity of the existing sewer system can be exceeded, causing flooding of streets, homes, and businesses. When the NEBT becomes operational in 2023, it will provide increased capacity to relieve chronic flooding. In addition, it will add capacity to the existing Anacostia Tunnel System, which has been in service since March 2018, to reduce combined sewer overflows to the Anacostia River by 98% in an average year of rainfall.

“Having this large tunnel in place will give all the water a place to go instead of our basement and the basements of the homes around us,” said Rev. Livingston. “Our church owes [DC Water] a debt of gratitude with much appreciation for the attention that has been given to this problem.”

The NEBT will also bring chronic flood relief to the low-lying Ivy City and Trinidad neighborhoods. At the intersection of Capitol Avenue and Mt. Olivet Road NE, Bethesda Baptist Church has been overwhelmed with a flooded parking lot and basement for decades.

Trustee Anne Barbee has worked with the NEBT project team for years and welcomes the coming relief. DC Water is indebted to Bethesda Baptist Church for allowing the use of their parking lot for the construction of one of the diversion structures. “We have great hope now that flooding will be minimized when it rains,” she said. “It has been a pleasure working with the folks who have spent so much effort making things better around here.”

To learn more about the NEBT, visit dcwater.com/nebt.