Lynchburg, Va., breaks ground on largest-ever Blackwater CSO tunnel project

(UI) — On Oct. 29, the City of Lynchburg broke ground on the Blackwater CSO Tunnel Project, a milestone in local infrastructure and the largest capital improvement in the city’s history. Known as LYHBeyond, the project aims to significantly reduce combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and safeguard the city’s waterways.

At the construction site on Seventh Street, community members, local officials, and stakeholders gathered to mark the start of the ambitious endeavor. “Today’s groundbreaking begins the final chapter of a significant upgrade to our city’s water management system,” said Lynchburg Mayor Stephanie Reed. “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.”

Mayor Reed thanked officials, including Delegate Wendell Walker, State Senator Mark Peake, Councilmember Sterling Wilder, and former Councilman Randy Nelson, for their support.

City Manager Wynter Benda emphasized the project’s long-term impact. “As we look to the future, we can be proud that we are not just investing in infrastructure; we’re investing in the health and resilience of Lynchburg,” Benda said.

Lynchburg Water Resources Director Tim Mitchell described the Blackwater CSO Tunnel as a standout project in the city’s infrastructure history. “This is our most ambitious project ever… the largest capital project in the city’s history and is essentially the capstone of our CSO program,” he said.

Mitchell outlined the city’s proactive approach over the past four decades, highlighting efforts to reduce CSOs through favorable terms in consent orders and by capitalizing on state and federal funding. “Being proactive has served us well,” Mitchell noted, “saving millions of dollars and positioning us to take advantage of state and federal funding opportunities.”

Acknowledging contributions from project partners—including design engineer Stantec, contractors Atkinson Construction and Clark Water, and Lynchburg Water Resources staff—Mitchell underscored the collaborative effort behind the tunnel project.

Scheduled for completion in 2027, the Blackwater CSO Tunnel will span nearly a mile, with a 12-foot diameter and a depth of up to 120 feet beneath Blackwater Creek. The tunnel will act as a reservoir for combined sewage and stormwater during heavy rain, curbing overflows into local waterways. Once completed, the city’s CSO program will have achieved a 98% reduction in overflows since the 1970s.

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