The City was awarded a Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund grant to accelerate portions of the Edison Street and Dale Street Storage and Convey large capacity project. The addition funding from the grant supplements the Stormwater Utility 10-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Funding Plan and allows flooding mitigation work to begin earlier.
Edison Street Cul-de-Sac Drainage Improvement
The Edison Street Cul-de-Sac Drainage Improvement will reduce and control flooding along the lower northern half of Edison Street. The existing outfall pipe collecting storm water from the Edison Cul-de-Sac and discharging into Four Mile Run will be upgraded to a larger pipe size. Additionally, inlets will be added at the intersection of Edison Street and Mark Drive. These improvements will allow the sewer system to capture and convey more storm flow.
• Status: In Design
• Total Estimated Cost: $1,000,000
• Funding Source: Stormwater Utility Fee, Community Flood Preparedness Fund grant
Progress Update
The City completed review of the final design in November.
Minor design revisions were required to reduce the chance of debris clogging existing inlets in Four Mile Run Park. City staff are preparing the construct solicitation. To reduce community impact, project staff are also investigating residential parking options and coordinating with City Resource Recovery to maintain trash pick-up services.
Project staff are planning to host a public meeting prior to construction.
Previous updates may be found under the "Design Phase Background" dropdowns listed below.
Design Phase Background
August 2024
Edison St. Drainage Improvement Project is under design and projected to be complete in fall 2024.
In March of 2024, the City completed review of the 90 percent plans and issued comments. The City then began working on Final Design, which included negotiating and procuring test pit services to support the project.
The City successfully negotiated and procured geotechnical investigation services to support the project, and issued a contract in July.
The geotechnical investigation were complete in August. Those results confirmed that the City's proposed design will not require relocation of any utility mains on Edison Street, and the project can advance to Final Design.
City staff anticipate the final design package will be received in September. In tandem with the final design phase, the City will begin preparing the construction solicitation.
Notices of the geotechnical work were distributed to residents prior to its start, which provide additional information about the utility work.
October 2024
The City received Final Design for the Edison St Drainage Improvement Project in October. Final approval is expected in November.
In tandem with Final Design review, the City is coordinating with utility providers to finalize relocation plans and prepare the construction solicitation.
Project staff anticipate a public construction kickoff meeting to be held in December prior to utility relocation work begins.
Invitations to the kickoff meeting will be issued by the City.
100 W. Reed Avenue Curb Inlet Improvement
The 100 W. Reed Avenue Curb Inlet improvement project will capture stormwater runoff and reduce surface flooding along West Reed Avenue and adjacent private property to alleviate impacts to downstream residents. New inlets will be installed along W. Reed Ave and upgrades are proposed to the outfall pipes running under Hume Spring Park and the Dale Street Community Garden. These improvements will allow the sewer system to capture and convey more storm flow.
• Status: In Design
• Total Estimated Cost: $2,230,000
• Funding Source: Stormwater Utility Fee, Community Flood Preparedness Fund grant
Progress Update
The City has completed its review of the revised pipe alignment and expects to receive the 90 percent design in December.
The proposed design complies with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) guidelines for shallow storm sewer installations under roadways. The proposed design also maintains the City’s design performance goals to mitigate flooding within the Arlandria neighborhood.
The revised pipe alignment crosses water mains along W. Reed Ave. and Dale Street. This requires additional test pits to confirm the revised alignment is not in conflict with the existing water mains.
Notices will be issued to residents in the test pitting area prior to the start of onsite work.
Previous updates may be found under the "Design Phase Background" dropdowns listed below.
Design Phase Background
August 2024
In August 2024 the City conducted a test pitting operation along W. Reed Avenue, Dale Street, and Edison Street using a mechanized rig. City staff received the results in late August, which confirmed the location of underground utility pipes at critical locations to support construction of the City's proposed storm sewer upgrades. Additionally, soil samples were collected and tested to assess the soil's potential to be used as a foundation for the proposed storm sewer pipes and structures.
Notices for the geotechnical work were distributed to residents prior to its start, which provide additional information about the utility work.
October 2024
Additional geotechnical investigations were required by the City to locate gas and sanitary mains along the proposed work area.
In October, following the August test pitting operation, the City received a revised design layout to account for existing underground utilities. The proposed layout maintains the City’s design performance goals, however the shallow storm sewer slope and low storm sewer cover under roadways required additional investigation before the 90 percent design can be completed.
The City intends to complete its review of the revised design layout in November and will update the project scope and schedule to account for any changes.
Project Phases
Investigation
The City of Alexandria Storm Sewer Capacity Analysis (CASSCA) reviewed the performance of the City's storm sewer system at the watershed level and identified problem areas where conveyance or capture was unable to meet the demand of the City's design storm event. In July of 2021, the City's Flood Action Alexandria team conducted field investigations to confirm the extent of issues identified by CASSCA and reported by residents via ALEX-311. The field investigation identified several upgrades to the storm sewer that could be implemented in advance of the Edison and Dale Street Large Capacity Project, which is funded in fiscal year 2026 through the City's 10-Year Capital Improvement Plan.
Design procurement
The City Flood Action Alexandria team selected AECOM to provide design and construction oversight services for the early phase of the Edison and Dale Capacity Improvement Project. A purchase order for design services was issued in October of 2022.
Design
In October of 2022, the City began design of the early phase of the Edison and Dale Capacity Improvement Project. Design was broken into three phases, including data collection, 30% schematic plans, and final construction drawings. The consultant will also provide technical construction specifications, a basis of design report, and a cost estimate for the proposed design. The project design goals are listed below:
Goals of design:
- Reduce flooding in your neighborhood through the installation of new pipes and inlets
- Convey the City’s Standard Design Storm (10-Year) within the City’s public Right-of-Ways
- Mitigate flood impacts from larger storm events as much as possible
- Ensure that upstream improvements do not adversely impact downstream properties
Construction
Construction is expected to start in summer 2025. Construction work that exceeds funding available through the Community Flood Preparedness Fund grant will be planned for Fiscal Year 2026, when funding is available through the Stormwater Utility Fee.
View the Flood Action Alexandria Project Dashboard for the latest construction updates.
On-Site: Photos from the Edison Street and Dale Street Early Phase
A visual look at progress on the Edison Street and Dale Street Early Phase.
Project notices and meetings
Project notices
Community meetings
• Dec. 20, 2022: Public kickoff meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Four Mile Run Park.
- July 24, 2023: Flood Action Alexandria Program Update at the Hume Spring Civic Association. (Meeting presentation)
Contact
Mitch Dillon, P.E. (He/Him)
Associate Technical Project Manager
703.746.4028
mitch.dillon@alexandriava.gov