By rosebell
Stretching beneath Blackwater Creek, reaching depths of up to 100ft, construction of the Blackwater Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) tunnel project in Virginia, US, has officially been commenced by Lynchburg Water Resources.
As the largest capital improvement project in Lynchburg to date, the Blackwater CSO tunnel marked a significant landmark towards protecting local waterways.
In order to celebrating the commission of the almost 1.6km-long tunnel designed to prevent pollution from storm overflow during periods of heavy rainfall, Lynchburg Mayor Stephanie Reed gathered with other community members.
With 12-foot-wide, the Blackwater CSO tunnel is a underground structure, and it is due to expand beneath Blackwater Creek, reaching depths of up to 100ft.
This infrastructure will act as a reservoir, capable of holding up to 4.7 million gallons of combined sewage and stormwater during major storms, thereby preventing overflow into Blackwater Creek and the James River.
This project that is intended to modernise Lynchburg’s ageing water management system, decreasing overflow volume by up to 98%, is scheduled to to be completed by July 2027.
Reed said: “This work is not just about pipes and treatment facilities; it’s about safeguarding our natural resources and enhancing the quality of life for everyone who calls Lynchburg home.”
As the final phase of Lynchburg’s 40-year commitment to mitigating overflow risks tied to the city’s 19th-century stormwater and wastewater system, the groundbreaking ceremony was done.
July this year, was the date of commencing construction of the tunnel and the construction contract for the Blackwater CSO tunnel project was granted to Atkinson Construction, with Stantec appointed to oversee planning, design, and project management.
With total cost of $103.9m, this project is supported by $50m in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Considering that the tunnel is slated to stretch from the new CSO 52 Drop Shaft facility on Point of Honor Trail to a Downtown CSO Pump Station which is being constructed at the foot of Seventh Street, the city has closed 117 of 132 overflow points and achieved a 93% reduction in pollutant load, since the program’s inception.
While construction of the Blackwater tunnel is ongoing, officials anticipate minimal disruptions to local traffic.
