Lynchburg Water Resources has officially commenced construction on the Blackwater Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) tunnel project in Virginia, US.
The Blackwater CSO tunnel is said to be the largest capital improvement project in Lynchburg to date, marking a significant milestone towards protecting local waterways.
Lynchburg Mayor Stephanie Reed, along with other community members, gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the launch of the nearly 1.6km-long tunnel designed to prevent pollution from storm overflow during periods of heavy rainfall.
The Blackwater CSO tunnel is a 12-foot-wide underground structure. It will extend 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.
Expected to be completed by July 2027, the project aims to modernise Lynchburg’s ageing water management system, reducing overflow volume by up to 98%.
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.”
The groundbreaking ceremony represents the final phase of Lynchburg’s 40-year commitment to mitigating overflow risks tied to the city’s 19th-century stormwater and wastewater system.
Construction of the tunnel started in July this year. The construction contract for the Blackwater CSO tunnel project was awarded to Atkinson Construction, with Stantec appointed to oversee planning, design, and project management.
The project carries a total cost of $103.9m, supported by $50m in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
The tunnel will 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.
Since the programme’s inception, the city has closed 117 of 132 overflow points, achieving a 93% reduction in pollutant load.
While construction of the Blackwater tunnel is ongoing, officials anticipate minimal disruptions to local traffic.
