The National Park Service will be conducting a test installation of the 17th Street levee in downtown Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, September 25. As a result, 17th Street between Constitution Avenue NW and Independence Avenue SW will be closed from 4 a.m. to 2 p.m. This annual test is necessary to ensure that the levee can be properly erected in case of high water, as mandated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The 17th Street levee is part of the Potomac Park Levee System and is comprised of aluminum panels between steel posts. In the event of flooding, the structure can be assembled across 17th Street NW south of Constitution Avenue NW. The National Park Service is responsible for operating and maintaining the levee.
Motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists are advised to steer clear of the closed area and seek alternate routes during the test installation. The closure is a precautionary measure to guarantee that the levee is functioning effectively and can provide protection in case of potential flooding. The test is an essential part of the maintenance and regulation of the levee system.
Source
Photo credit www.fox5dc.com