The right lane on northbound Interstate 395 under the 7th Street SW overpass reopened just before 2 p.m. Tuesday, more than a day after a large slab of concrete collapsed onto the freeway.
The District Department of Transportation responded to the concrete debris on the Southwest Freeway Monday afternoon and blocked the right northbound lane between Maine Avenue SW and the 3rd Street Tunnel.
A WTOP traffic camera showed a backhoe loader and dump truck being used to clear the concrete debris off the right shoulder. The debris appeared to be broken pieces of a concrete wall panel that fell from an elevated portion of the freeway’s retaining wall below 7th Street SW.
“DDOT bridge engineers immediately conducted an inspection and confirmed the bridge remains structurally sound, with the issue isolated to a decorative concrete panel near the abutment that loosened due to water intrusion affecting the mortar behind it,” a spokesperson with agency told WTOP.
There were no reported injuries and there was no indication that the concrete struck any passing vehicles.
The incident in the District follows two episodes of falling concrete on New York City’s Trans-Manhattan Expressway earlier this month. One driver was injured.
Repairs to the retaining wall will resume Tuesday evening “to ensure the continued safety of the traveling public,” DDOT said.
Editor’s note: WTOP’s Neal Augenstein reported from the scene.
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