Survival: Unknown

To help alleviate pollution in Rock Creek, the Public Works Administration (PWA) granted approximately $3,500,000 for the creation of a massive new sewer system serving Crestwood, Petworth and surrounding areas in 1939-1941. The trunk sewer lines were constructed by private contractors, one of which was the Philadelphia construction company of Joseph Lombardi. Beginning near the intersection of 16th Street and Arkansas Avenue (northwest), the system runs southwest down Piney Branch Parkway, under the National Zoo, and then south.  It splits into two lines, one along each side of Rock Creek: the western line to carry storm water runoff and the eastern to...

In Spring 1939, the DC government used funds from the Public Works Administration (PWA) to award contracts for the Outfall Relief Sewer project, a large sewer line to run from the Poplar Point Pumping Station to a point near the Blue Plains Disposal Plant (today’s Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant). The Diamond Construction Company was awarded a contract for $423,116 to build one section of the line, while the Wagner-Larsen Construction Company contracted to build a second section for $293,049. Work on the Outfall Relief Sewer started on May 17, 1939, and was completed in mid-1940. This project was part of...

In 1938-1939, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) installed a short Water Main on Pennsylvania Avenue, west from 26th Street, NW. The Annual Report of the DC government provides details:  “A 12-inch main in Pennsylvania Avenue NW, west from Twenty-sixth Street, to replace an old 6-inch main. This work, totaling 240 linear feet, was undertaken as a W. P. A. project and is a part of the work necessary to convert the 30-inch gravity main in M Street to the first high service.”  The main may still be in place, but it would be unknown and invisible to everyone but the staff at DC Water...

In 1938-1939, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) installed a short Water Main on Pennsylvania Avenue, between Thirty-Third Place and Carpenter Street SE The Annual Report of the DC government provides details: “A 16-inch main in Pennsylvania Avenue between Thirty-third Place and Carpenter Street SE. This main, totaling 340 linear feet, was undertaken as a W. P. A. project and was extended to serve property being developed. It will ultimately be extended to the Anacostia pumping station at Eighteenth Street and Minnesota Avenue SE to provide a second feeder line from the pumping station to Alabama and Pennsylvania Avenues to augment the Anacostia second high service...

In 1938-1939, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) installed a new Water Main on West Virginia Avenue, north from Mount Olivet Road NE. The Annual Report of the DC government provides details: “A 16-inch main, totaling 780 linear feet, in West Virginia Avenue north from Mount Olivet Road NE. It is proposed to extend this main in the future to Rhode Island and Montana Avenues NE, tying in with the 30-inch trunk main at this location, thereby effecting a major feed through the Trinidad-Woodridge area of the second high service. This main was undertaken as a W. P. A. project." Presumably, the main was later connected...

In 1938-1939, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) installed a new Water Main on East Capitol Street, between 59th and 61st Streets NW. The Annual Report of the DC government provide details: “Undertaken with W. P.A. labor, a 20-inch main, totaling 685 linear feet, was laid in East Capitol Street between Fifty-ninth and Sixty first Streets, to serve new houses under construction. This main will eventually be extended to intercept a proposed 30-inch main in Minnesota Avenue and will extend from Minnesota Avenue and East Capitol Street to the east most extremity of the Anacostia first high service, completing a major trunk main through...

In 1938-1939, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) installed a new Water Main on K Street, between 27th and 29th Streets NW.  The Annual Report of the DC government provide details:  “A 24-inch steel main, totaling 530 linear feet in K Street between Twenty-seventh and Twenty-ninth Streets NW. This main, under taken as a W. P. A. project, is an extension of the Washington Circle contract, and is a major link in the work necessary to change the 30-inch main in M Street from gravity to first high service.”  The main may still be in place, but would be invisible to everyone but the...

The Public Works Administration (PWA) funded the construction of the Youngs Creek Bridge No. 1541 in Nallen WV. Excerpt from Legal Advertisement, Notice to Contractors, The Charleston (WV) Gazette, March 18, 1939, p. 11.: "Public Works Administration Project Docket 1197-F-- PWA 3163-B. Tyler Count. Frew Bridge No. 1538 & Approaches. One 20 Ft. Span Reinforced Concrete Arch and Grading, Draining, Macadam Base and Surface Treatment. Certified Check $2,400.00, W. Wa. State Employment Service, Parkersburg, W.Va."

The Public Works Administration (PWA) funded the construction of the Youngs Creek Bridge No. 1541 in Nallen WV. Excerpt from Legal Advertisement, Notice to Contractors, The Charleston (WV) Gazette, March 18, 1939, p. 11.: “Public Works Administration Projects Docket 1197-F — PWA 3372-E & PWA 3388-B. Nicholas & Fayette Counties. Nallen Bridge No. 1238-F — PWA 3238-A & D, Upshur County. 0.308 miles of the Fink Run Bridge and Approaches. Grading, Drainage, Cement Concrete Pavement and Reinforced Concrete Arch. Certified Check $1,500.00. John E. Fischer, Branch Manager, W. Va, State Employment Service, Weston, W. Va.” Possibly at Fink Run Road near Corridor G....

PWA W1061 supported the construction of an artesian well, water main, and waterworks distribution system. A loan of $4,000 and a grant of $3,501 was approved 9/25/1935. Contracts were awarded 11/18/1935. Construction began 1/20/1936 and was completed 4/4/1936. Even though there was a rush for overtime in September to complete applications by the deadline, Mississippi halted work for an hour "out of respect to Mrs. Harold L. Ickes, wife of the national administrator, killed in an automobile accident in Texas Saturday night" (Workers pause, 1935, p. 10).