Just like they did on H Street back in August, the D.C. Department of Transportation is now laying down tracks in Anacostia. The trains on this line are expected to be up and running by 2012.

Starting today, traffic by the intersection of South Capitol Street and Firth Sterling Avenue, will be subject to a half mile detour. (For more detailing information, see DDOT’s advisory.)

This phase of construction will last through Nov. 21. But, additional work will continue in the area until mid-January. The Department advises:

All motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes to avoid delays, including:

I-295 North to Suitland Parkway to South Capitol Street SE

Malcolm X Avenue SE to Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue to W Street to 13th Street to I-295 North

South Capitol Street SE to Suitland Parkway to I-295 South

I-295 to 11th Street Bridge to Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue to South Capitol Street

Image from DDOT