Repairs are coming to a decades-old water main tunnel under I-66 near Virginia Square, bringing parking restrictions and closing some basketball courts.
The Hayes Park basketball courts will be closed for about three months and parking will be restricted on 15th Street N. and part of N. Lincoln Street starting the week of March 10.
“There will be some noise from trucks at 15th Street N. during the delivery of materials and equipment, and from the pumps and generators at the shaft locations,” a county notice says.
The tunnel in question was built at the same time as I-66 in 1985, county spokesperson Kiara Candelaria Nieves told ARLnow.
“The purpose of the tunnel is to access the critical 36-inch water transmission main in the event a repair is needed without digging up the interstate,” she said.
An inspection last fall found that the entire tunnel was filled with groundwater — making the repairs a cause for celebration for some.
A 36-inch water main tunnel along I-66 heads to rehab in March. Yes, yes, yes.https://t.co/8HLQg4AzZL pic.twitter.com/07wSznRStR
— Arlington Department of Environmental Services (@ArlingtonDES) February 25, 2025
Work crews will also be repairing two vertical shafts on either side of the interstate, one of which is about 57 feet deep and the other of which is 32 feet deep.
“Crews will work around the clock, including nights and weekends, for the duration of the project,” the notice says. “We apologize for any inconvenience and greatly appreciate your understanding as we complete this critical rehabilitation project.”
