Demolition underway at fire-damaged Benning Road trash transfer station

Crews are tearing down the Benning Road trash transfer station in Northeast Washington. The facility was damaged by fire in 2021 and closed permanently in 2023. The District plans to put a new waste facility on the site at 3200 Benning Road NE, which sits near the Anacostia River in Ward 7.

Demolition is listed as “in progress” on the Department of General Services project page, and East of the River reported on Oct. 15 that the work is underway.

The teardown

Atmos Solutions Inc. is the contractor for the abatement and demolition phase, according to a DGS project listing. The listing puts that phase’s budget at about $21.2 million. Work started in March 2025 and is scheduled to finish in spring 2027. The contract covers removing the old building, its foundation and utilities, and cleaning up leftover trash and hazardous materials.

East of the River reported that a city spokesperson said air monitoring and misting are being used during demolition. The goal is to keep contaminants out of the river through two nearby stormwater outfalls. The spokesperson also said 100% of demolition materials had been recycled so far, against a target of 75%.

What replaces it

A second DGS listing shows the new facility in design. VMDO is the architect, and the current budget is $100 million. Construction is set to begin in summer 2027 and finish in summer 2029. The main DGS project page says the new station will have a larger tipping floor, a residential drop-off area and features for learning and engagement with the Department of Public Works.

East of the River reported that the city calls the project the Benning Road Zero Waste Campus and plans to include composting. The paper said the Zoning Commission is reviewing it and that no concept designs have been released.

Why it has been closed

The station caught fire in July 2021. WTOP reported at the time that it was already budgeted for replacement, and that its trash would be sent to the Fort Totten transfer station in the meantime. According to East of the River, the facility closed for good in summer 2023. Since then, residents of Wards 6, 7 and 8 have had to take items like hazardous waste to Fort Totten, the District’s only other transfer station. East of the River reported that the longer trip has led to more illegal dumping east of the river.

Community questions

Brian Alcorn, who chairs Advisory Neighborhood Commission 7D, told East of the River he doubts the public works department’s outreach. He said DPW told him a community advisory group had been formed, but he could not tell whether it exists or holds meetings. The City Administrator’s office did not answer the paper’s questions about community engagement.

What’s next

DGS expects demolition to wrap up in spring 2027, with construction of the new facility to follow later that year.