sensor pole erected at 1st and W St NW, northwest corner - NOT part of the DC Water First Street Tunnel project

See this Email exchange:

Date: Tue, 11 Feb 2014 11:08:39 -0500
Subject:  Construction sensor installed on 1st Street NW at W St NW

An exchange with DDOT and a resident about the First ST tunnel project and sensors to detect earth movement on the surface, which could cause damage to buildings during tunneling:

A 20 foot tall Victorian style ribbed pole was installed in front of 2200 First ST NW , intersection of First and W on the west side of road.

Ft Myers did the work.
                                       
It looks like it may be a new light pole. Could you tell me what this pole is for?

Thanks,

(answer)
According to Fort Myer, they were sub-contracted by PC Construction to install the pole. This is a regular DDOT 20’ traffic signal pole. PC construction will eventually install a sensor on this pole. As to what kind of sensor, Fort Myer doesn’t know.

Here is the contact information for PC Construction Company:

Wescott Smith
(603) 728-8275

Update on 02-12-2014 -- read below:

Subject: Purpose of Pole-JL-Request for information (RFI) 

Date: Tue, 11 Feb 2014 19:31:29 +0000 

From: Thomas Lindberg <Thomas.Lindberg@dcwater.com>
  

Thanks for forwarding the emails and for your request for information.

The electric pole in question is not related to the First Street Tunnel 
Project, however, it is critical for the operation of the McMillan 
Stormwater Storage Project(MSSP) another DC Water Clean Rivers Project. 

MSSP must have data that allows for the raising and lowering of gates 
within the stormwater storage facility. The equipment on the pole allows DC Water to calibrate the level of wastewater flows within the existing downstream sewers. All in an effort to increase the capacity of the wastewater transmission system through the Bloomingdale area during 
normal operating conditions and especially during peak flow periods.
 

The First Street pole supports data transmission/telemetry services for 
the proper operation of new upstream storage facility.

Monitoring will need to occur until the Northeast Boundary Tunnel 
Project slated for completion in 2022. 

I hope this is helpful.
     

Tom Lindberg 

First Street Tunnel
Public Outreach 

202.787.4738