DC Curbed by Michell Goldchain

Since 2015, the $1.3 billion project, Capitol Crossing, has completed a myriad of upgrades, while creating 4,000 construction jobs and 8,000 permanent jobs. With these upgrades completed, the project is approaching the next phase of construction with the expectation to complete the first building, a trophy office space, by 2018 with 70,000-square-feet of retail. For those who might be a little unaware of the project or need a refresher, Capitol Crossing will span a total of 2.2 million-square-feet with 6.8 acres of construction above the sunken I-395 entrance. The entire projectwill entail five mixed-use buildings and over 1,100 parking spaces. The developer claims that the site Capitol Crossing that is being utilized is the largest continuous undeveloped site remaining in Downtown. Deputy Mayor Kenner also described the project as creating the District's first "eco-district" due the plans for the buildings to receive a "beyond LEED Platinum" certification. In December 2014, The Washington Post reported that the project will grow the District's tax base by an estimated $30 million. For the first quarter of 2016, Capitol Crossing plans on installing the steel segments that will support the three-block platform above I-95. The entire project is expected to complete by 2020.

A few challenges the project has experienced include the move of a 138-year-old building that was the District's first synagogue and the inability to close two-thirds of a mile of I-395. When moved, the synagogue will become a museum. If the closing were approved, the project would have saved 18 months of construction time, according toThe Washington Post. In December 2014, the developer also outraged Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton and other Federal officials due to a lack of communication on the hopes to close a portion of I-395.

So far, Capitol Crossing has completed excavation and installation of new high voltage electrical line in Massachusetts Avenue NW from 3rd to 4th streets NW as well as installation of a new 30 foot water main on Massachusetts Avenue NW between 4th and 2nd streets NW. On 3rd Street from F to E streets, Capitol Crossing has alsoinstalled an eight food water main. The existing 3rd Street tunnel was refurbished in order to align with post-9/11 safety and security standards. In November 2015, deep caissons, or watertight chambers that keep out water, were also poured. Finally, the electrical grid between Capitol and East End were connected in order to stabilize the electricity supply in the two neighborhoods.