Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Contact: Myllisa Lardieri Kennedy 703-228-3152 cell: 571-722-8721 (voice) 703-228-4611(TTY)
Arlington County Board Approves $14.6 Million for Potomac Interceptor
Sewer upgrades to double capacity
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Arlington County Board today authorized award of a $14.6 million contract for a sewer system replacement project that will double the capacity of the existing system serving Rosslyn, one of the County’s busiest districts. The project will replace existing lines with nearly 8,900 linear feet of 30-inch to 48-inch pipeline.
The Board authorized award of the contract for construction of the Potomac Interceptor Sanitary Sewer Improvements Project to Total Engineering, Inc. Part of the 1992 Arlington County Sanitary Sewer System Master Plan, the Potomac Interceptor is a complex project that has required extensive coordination and cooperation among numerous parties.
County, federal government, transit authority worked together
County staff worked diligently to design the project and obtain an intricate series of easements and permits allowing the pipeline to cross property and rights-of-way governed by a number other authorities, including the Virginia Department of Transportation, Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority, National Park Service, and Arlington National Cemetery. Together the County and the agencies developed a plan that will meet the needs of the County’s businesses, residents and visitors while preserving the integrity of national monuments and sacred ground.
“This project is a great example of what it takes to upgrade critical infrastructure in a fully developed urban environment,” said Greg Emanuel, head of capital projects in the County’s Department of Environmental Services. “It takes patience, creativity, flexibility and great teamwork from all those involved and affected by the work just to get a project to the start of construction. We look forward to positive ongoing teamwork with project stakeholders to make the construction a reality.”
New infrastructure will support future growth
The new sanitary sewer infrastructure will allow Arlington to support future growth and better manage weather-related events, such as larger-than-normal flows that can cause sewer back-ups. The Potomac Interceptor will begin just north of Arlington Boulevard and head south across National Park Service property near the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial and under Arlington National Cemetery property, then pass under Columbia Pike. The sewer will connect to an existing 54-inch sewer main just south of Columbia Pike.
Arlington to replace federal water main in Arlington National Cemetery
As part of the Potomac Interceptor project, the County has also agreed to replace an aging, federally-owned 16-inch water main within Arlington National Cemetery. The coupling of these much-needed infrastructure projects will ensure minimal disruption to the cemetery’s grounds and ongoing operations, while enabling the line replacements at the lowest possible costs to both parties.
Installation of the new sewer and relocation of the federally-owned water main along with other utilities will allow for the development of approximately eight to ten acres of land that will yield approximately 10,000 additional grave sites for Arlington National Cemetery.
All the construction work within the boundary of Arlington National Cemetery will be performed with the utmost care and respect during evening hours, and suitable weekends and holidays to respect the thousands of visitors, families, and the fallen who are buried at the cemetery. All construction will take place after normal hours of operation so as to not interfere with the daily funeral operations.
Both traditional and “trenchless” methods will be used to build the Potomac Interceptor. “Trenchless” construction, known as micro-tunneling, will minimize disruption to the surrounding community and reduce the need to close major roadways, such as Arlington Boulevard and Columbia Pike, while work is underway. As a result, the County does not anticipate significant disruption or delays to main roads during the two-year construction timeline. Construction is expected to begin by fall 2009.
Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world - including the Pentagon - Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.