CAMP SPRINGS, Md. — WUSA9 is getting more answers to your concerns in Prince George’s County surrounding WSSC Water’s ongoing projects. We first did this story over a month ago, after hearing concerns about the road conditions. There was a community meeting at the Central Baptist Church of Camp Springs Thursday, so people in the area could get the latest information on the two projects.
One is along Old Branch Avenue, the other on Allentown Road. Residents from Prince George' County reached out to us about the ongoing project with concerns. Claims that changes to the road conditions were causing damages to their cars. On Thursday, WSSC Water said both of these projects are more than half way done.
“While this is a much-needed work” Janna Parker, a neighborhood resident said. “It’s really an extra burden on the people who have to drive...my car is currently in the shop, part of that is because of the roadway,” Parker said.
Thursday she joined more than 50 other people in Prince George’s County to hear the latest from WSSC Water about its two water main replacement projects. Several people who live in the area where these projects are, asked questions.
The company’s construction manager with the pipeline construction division— Dan Hamilton, said he doesn’t take any pleasure in causing these disruptions, but the work has to be done. During his presentation, he noted the Allentown Road project is 77 percent completed and will be done by November — Old Branch Avenue is 65 percent complete and will wrap Summer 2025.
“We’ve had WSSC come out and present to us several times over the course of the beginning of this project and the timeline has changed,” Parker said.
Then the company’s pipeline construction manager said the roads affected would be repaved after each project is finished.
“I appreciate the very needed updates on our water facility and water infrastructure but driving on Allentown and Old Branch Avenue is like going on a rollercoaster,” Parker said.
As Parker and many of her neighbors wait, they said they’re struggling to find a detour.
“They’re all trying to find a way to avoid Allentown but we live off of the main Allentown street,” Parker said.
WSSC Water said large water mains will provide better service and water pressure. It noted that they have heard a lot of complaints. The Allentown Road project includes replacing 2 miles of 4-inches to 24-inch diameter water main and installing 1.6 miles of new 42-iches diameter water transmission main. The Old Branch Avenue project includes installing 3 miles of new 30-inch diameter water transmission main which provides redundancy and improves reliability to the southern Prince George’s County service area.
The company said it plans to have several other community meetings to give updates and hear from the community.