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ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Crews will fan out across Old Town's waterfront streets beginning July 13 to investigate underground utilities, the first visible sign of progress on Alexandria's long-delayed waterfront flood mitigation project since City Council formally authorized a redesigned approach last month.
The city's Department of Transportation and Environmental Services announced the work, which runs through July 24, will involve excavating small test pits at locations along King Street, The Strand, Union Street between King and Prince, Prince Street, and within Waterfront Park and Point Lumley Park. The investigation is designed to identify the location and depth of existing underground utilities as part of the design process.
The utility work follows a June 13 vote in which City Council formally authorized City Manager James Parajon to execute a comprehensive agreement with design-build contractor Skanska/JMT for what the city is calling Option 3 — an enhanced gravity storm sewer and backflow prevention system. The vote marked a significant pivot for a project that has been in development for nearly a decade.
The original plan, centered on a roughly $145 million pump station in Waterfront Park, was effectively killed in February when the National Park Service reversed its long-standing position and informed the city it would not modify the 1981 Settlement Agreement that governs the park. The NPS declared the proposed pump station an impermissible use under deed restrictions that limit Waterfront Park to open space uses in perpetuity. The reversal came just 13 months after the agency had signaled support for the project.
Ryan Belmore
As The Alexandria Brief first reported in February and March, the reversal sent city staff back to the drawing board as project costs simultaneously ballooned from $118 million to $189 million, driven by tariffs, rising labor costs, and construction risk factors. Total estimated costs exceeded available funding by $60 million to $80 million under the original concept.
The flooding problem the project is designed to address is acute and worsening. City data presented to council in March showed the waterfront has experienced a sharp acceleration in flooding events at Prince Street level: from a 20-year average of 145 sunny-day flooding events and 37 river overtopping events per year, to 227 sunny-day events and 93 river overtopping events in the past year alone. By 2100, the city projects 353 sunny-day events and 341 river overtopping events annually. Current flood-related costs run between $400,000 and $800,000 per year.
Option 3, which city staff recommended as the most fiscally viable path, drops the pump station entirely and instead focuses on upgrading and upsizing the existing gravity storm sewer system, installing backflow prevention and flood control gates and valves, replacing and raising critical sections of bulkhead and shoreline to elevation 6 feet, and restoring Waterfront Park. The plan also includes pedestrian improvements along the 100 block and unit block of Lower King Street, including a raised pedestrian crossing. Improvements to Point Lumley Park and its associated shoreline may be deferred to stay within budget.
At the 30% design stage, project costs for Option 3 are estimated between $145 million and $165 million, against approximately $141 million in remaining available funding from city capital funds, stormwater utility fees, and grants. The city said costs will be reduced through value engineering, and additional grants will be pursued.
The approach will eliminate 100% of sunny-day flooding and provide river flood protection to elevation 6 feet, matching the performance of the original pump station concept for those categories. However, it will not fully address tidal influence on the storm sewer system under higher river conditions, and will not protect against projected sea level rise of one to two feet without a future pump station — though the city says the design is adaptable to one.
The anticipated project timeline calls for a grading plan and 70% design to be completed this fall, with a Guaranteed Maximum Price proposal from Skanska/JMT to follow in fall or winter 2026. Final design is expected in winter 2026 through spring 2027, with construction beginning summer or fall 2027.
During the utility investigation work next week, residents and visitors should expect temporary lane closures or traffic controls near active work areas, temporary parking restrictions posted 72 hours in advance, construction equipment and noise, and small pavement openings that will be restored after each day's work.
The anticipated work schedule is as follows:
- July 13–14: Lee Street and King Street intersection.
- July 15: Prince Street and Union Street intersection; 100 block of Union Street.
- July 16: 100 block of Union Street.
- July 17: Union Street and King Street intersection.
- July 20: The Strand and Prince Street intersection, and along The Strand.
- July 21: Robinson Landing/Cheeseman Way area.
- July 22–24: Project completion, restoration, and contingency work.
Questions about the utility investigation work can be directed to Brian J. Whiteley, inspector with the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services, at Brian.Whiteley@alexandriava.gov or 703.656.6025. For information on the broader project, visit www.AlexandriaVA.gov/waterfront or email Matthew.Landes@alexandriava.gov.
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