Downtown Fredericksburg visitors, residents, and business owners have endured a summer of lane closures and construction along Caroline Street, while the city installs new water lines.
“While the work is messy, temporarily unattractive, and at times inconvenient for the public, it is necessary to allow for continued support of resident and businesses,” City Manager Tim Baroody said in a press release. “It also supports future growth, and improves the community’s ability to protect against fire.”
The $2.4 million Caroline Street water-line replacement project involves the installation of 12-inch lines that will more than double the deliverable volume of water. Work will run through November 2016, then resume in 2017. The section of Caroline Street where the work has been completed will be repaved this fall.
In the past decade, the City of Fredericksburg has invested about $11 million in water and sewer upgrades, according to Baroody. “It’s the ground work to modernize, and to accommodate anticipated population and business growth,” Baroody said.
Among these — including the year they occurred and investment amount — are:
• Kenmore Avenue Interceptor Project (2012) – The Kenmore Avenue sewer interceptor from William Street to Lafayette Boulevard was enlarged and replaced in 2012. This has eliminated back-ups in the system. $2.6 million
• U.S. 1 Transmission Line Project (2008) – The transmission line along U.S. 1 from State Route 3 to Learning Lane was replaced, improving the delivery of potable water from Spotsylvania County into the City’s distribution system. $1.9 million
• College Heights Water Line Project (2014) – Potable water lines on two streets were replaced with larger pipes. This improved the water supply to College Heights residents and provided additional fire protection to the University of Mary Washington. $945,000
• William Street Sewer Project (2014) – The sanitary sewer in the 200 through 700 blocks of William Street was relined and manholes replaced to reduce inflow and infiltration. This was done using Cast In Place Plastic lining, which was less expensive and less disruptive than open-cut replacement of the sewer. $850,000
• Charles Street Sewer Project (2014) – The sanitary sewer under Charles Street (200 through 400 blocks) and the 400 block of Dunmore Street were replaced to provide more-efficient transport of sewage and to reduce inflow and infiltration. Following installation, the entire street was repaved. $658,000
• Fall Hill Avenue Project (2015-16) – Water mains and valves have been relocated during the Fall Hill Avenue expansion project. The relocations will provide a more-efficient delivery system for potable water and accommodate future needs due to development. $648,000
• Eagle Village Distribution System Project (2010) – The potable water distribution system serving the Eagle Village development and surrounding area was upgraded to provide additional volume and improved fire protection. $255,000
• Additional significant projects have occurred in the past few years to improve a city pump station, replace damaged sewer lines and upgrade the storm-water system.
“We ask our residents, visitors and businesses to bear with us as we continue to make these necessary improvements,” said Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw said. “We are confident they will pay dividends for many years to come.”
City staff maintains 125-plus miles of sewer and 165-plus miles of potable water lines throughout the city for some 8,700 users.
The city is installing a new press belt at its wastewater treatment plant near Dixon Park, and continues to work collaboratively with Spotsylvania County on the operation of a state-of-the-art water-filtration plant at Motts Run Reservoir.
Future projects include upgrades of the potable water distribution mains, and replacements of sanitary sewer lines throughout the system to support public health and protect the environment.
