Lynchburg, Va., tunnel to cut sewage overflows into James River
(UI) — Lynchburg, Virginia, has completed the blast-and-drill phase of its $104 million Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) tunnel, marking a major milestone in a project designed to reduce sewage discharges into Blackwater Creek and the James River by an estimated 98%, according to WDBJ7.
The tunnel is the centerpiece of a decades-long effort to modernize the city's wastewater system and works alongside expanded capacity at the city's Water Resource Recovery Facility. Once operational, the project is expected to significantly reduce combined sewer overflows that occur during heavy rainfall.
According to WDBJ7, roughly 75% of the project is being funded through grants, with the remaining costs covered by sewer rate increases.
Water Resources Director Tim Mitchell said the tunnel is intended to improve water quality by preventing untreated sewage containing bacteria and other contaminants from entering local waterways.
Mitchell said the completion of the CSO program also will lessen the need for automatic sewer rate increases tied to the project, although future rate adjustments may still occur for other reasons.
Construction is expected to continue through next year. While some construction activity will remain in downtown Lynchburg, the most disruptive blasting work has now been completed, as reported by WDBJ7.
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