91茄子

Crews today began work on Dupont Circle鈥檚 $37 million deckover project that will cover the Connecticut Avenue underpass with a new public plaza, a project D.C. leaders have celebrated as transformative.

The District Department of Transportation project will bring a plaza over the Connecticut Avenue underpass between the Dupont Circle and Q Street, NW.

Councilmember Brooke Pinto, who represents Ward 2, said in an email statement that she has worked closely with DDOT to ensure the needs of residents and businesses are addressed throughout the process. 

She described the project as transformative and said she is 鈥渆xcited for it to bring a new public space for residents and visitors to enjoy.鈥�

The Dupont Circle Business Improvement District (BID) has said local businesses are eager for the project to move forward. A BID spokesperson told 91茄子 that, at a meeting last week, many business owners expressed excitement about the improvements and the potential for more visitors.

Vincent Slatt, a commissioner and treasurer with ANC 2B03, said the idea of a deckover is not new.

鈥淭hey鈥檝e been talking about decking over that hole for decades 鈥� 30, 40 years,鈥� he said. 鈥淣ow it鈥檚 finally happening, along with the Connecticut Avenue streetscape project to fix sidewalks, trees, and curbs.鈥�

Neighborhood questions

The gap between official enthusiasm and community awareness highlights what may become the project鈥檚 greatest challenge: questions left unanswered even as construction begins.

A by the Dupont Circle Citizens Association (DCCA) laid out four concerns about the project, including questions about air quality, accessibility, maintenance, and construction impacts.

In its resolution, DCCA warned that the deck could trap vehicle exhaust in the underpass without a clear ventilation plan. The same resolution noted that while planners have mentioned updated sidewalks and ramps, the design lacks dedicated drop-off zones and parking that would make the plaza accessible to residents with disabilities.

Slatt said he worries about who will take responsibility for cleaning, security, and upkeep once the deckover is complete. The DCCA resolution also questioned whether the District has allocated a dedicated budget for long-term maintenance.

German Vigil, a public information officer with DDOT, told 91茄子 via email that the underpass already has a ventilation infrastructure and that reinforced mesh near the circle will allow for air circulation once the deck is built. 

Vigil said the project will follow Americans With Disabilities Act standards, the city鈥檚 ADA Transition Plan and the Public Right of Way Accessibility Guidelines, as well as DDOT鈥檚 own Design & Engineering Manual, Public Realm Design Manual and Streetscape Guidelines to ensure accessibility. 

He confirmed that the plaza will be maintained as public space, with the Dupont Circle BID partnering in programming and upkeep.

Regarding construction impacts, Vigil said businesses on the plaza will remain open during regular hours, with pedestrian access, deliveries and trash pickup continuing without interruption.

The uncertainty reflects a gap between the deckover supporters鈥� optimism and the day-to-day concerns of businesses facing potential disruptions during construction. 

Several employees of businesses along Connecticut Avenue told 91茄子 they had little information about the project. 

In a , salon owner Sandy Campbell said she believed the project will ultimately be positive, but added, 鈥渋t鈥檚 going to cause congestion in the area 鈥� probably a year and a half of some hard times.鈥�

, a neighborhood advocacy group, also has criticized the project. 

The group, which formed to oppose DDOT鈥檚 plans to remove car lanes and add bike lanes farther north, argues that the deckover construction will further strain the city鈥檚 already congested roads. 

Save Connecticut Avenue warned in an April report that lane closures would 鈥減ile on to D.C.鈥檚 traffic woes,鈥� disrupting drivers well beyond Dupont Circle. 

The group declined to provide further comment when contacted by 91茄子.

In addition, interviews at Dupont Circle suggest many residents and pedestrians are unaware of what is about to unfold. 

鈥淚鈥檝e never heard of it,鈥� said Cassey Elder, a Dupont Circle resident, as she walked her dog near the circle. 鈥淚f there are picnic tables, it could be great.鈥� 

, held at St. Margaret鈥檚 Episcopal Church on Connecticut Avenue NW, shows that residents pressed DDOT on how many parking spaces would be eliminated and whether local businesses supported the project.

鈥淪mall minority of loud voices鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 not everyone who is upset,鈥� Slatt said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a very small minority of loud voices 鈥� the classic NIMBY opposition.鈥� 

Most residents either don鈥檛 know about the project or don鈥檛 care, Slatt said, adding that the D.C. government has not been good at sharing information, which amplifies the objections of this small group.

鈥淚t might be good for pedestrians,鈥� said Austin Chavez, who lives in another D.C. neighborhood. 鈥淏ut so many streets are already closing. It may not turn out the way people expect.鈥�

According to DDOT鈥檚 , construction is expected to last two years, with completion projected for 2027.