Smooth Streets? Not Yet

As the end of fall approaches, the District Department of Transportation’s paving plan for 2018 is nearing shutdown for the winter. But that’s not the end of road construction equipment on Georgetown’s residential thoroughfares, not to mention block closures and parking prohibitions.

DDOT’s Operation Smooth Streets program has taken over — and many, especially those along East Village roads, will feel the rumble.

PaveDC stands for Mayor Muriel Bowser’s commitment to eliminate all poor-quality roads in the District by 2024. The plan includes strategies to maintain roads, sidewalks and street markings in good condition before they deteriorate and need more intensive repair.

Between spring and fall of this year, portions of Grace Street and 26th Street in Georgetown were among the dozens of roads and alleyways hat were repaved in the District. To date, according to DDOT, 36 miles of road have been completed, five miles have been “substantially completed,” 15 miles are under construction and 66 miles are in the planning stages.

But in November, the 2800 block of O Street, the 2900 block of N Street and the 1300 and 1400 blocks of 30th Street were completely closed under Operation Smooth Streets — a program to pave over rough spots in streets and sidewalks created by the work of utility companies. Residents are supposed to be informed of the planned work some 72 hours ahead.

But Georgetown gas-leak tracker Edward Segal posted a warning on his blog: “Don’t assume that just because Washington Gas makes your street smooth that they won’t return to tear it up again.”