To serve the growing demand in western Fairfax County, Fairfax Water must expand the capacity of the water transmission system. The first phase of this water transmission main from the water treatment plant to New Dominion Parkway was constructed in 2001. The new 54-inch pipeline will extend this water main to the Fox Mill Pumping Station just south of Fox Mill Road. The additional transmission capacity provided by the new water main will benefit all customers in the western part of Fairfax County.

The project includes the construction of approximately 11,000 feet of new 54-inch diameter water main along the east side of the Fairfax County Parkway (Route 7100) from south of Fox Mill Road (Route 665) to south of New Dominion Parkway. In an effort to reduce construction impacts to the community, 8,500 of this pipe will be installed in a tunnel. The new water main parallels an existing 48-inch diameter water main that was installed in the 1970’s. The new water main is being constructed in existing easements and right-of-way.

Project construction was originally estimated to be completed during the Fall of 2012. However, due to factors beyond Fairfax Water’s control, the original contractor was unable to complete the project and was declared in default. At the time of the contractor’s default he had constructed approximately 2,600 feet of tunnel. Project has since been re-bid and a new contractor has been secured. Resumption of construction activities started during the Spring of 2012. New completion contractor is in the process of replacing the tunneling machine and will be working on the open cut portions of the project during the summer of 2012 contingent upon availability of pipe material. Once the tunneling machine has been replaced, contractor will resume tunneling operations followed by pipe installation, tunnel grouting, pipe connections and testing. Project completion has been rescheduled for the summer of 2014.

Traffic on the Fairfax County Parkway and on all connecting roads will be maintained as they have been throughout the construction project without the need for shutdowns of any lanes. Three temporary construction entrances have been constructed and continue to be maintained. Two of the entrances are located on the Fairfax County Parkway south of Fox Mill Road (east and west side of the parkway). The third entrance is located on the parkway north of Sunset Hills Road. Construction entrances will not be used during rush hour traffic. The construction entrances are on the roadway shoulders and no lane closures are anticipated.

Noise, dust, silt and erosion during construction will continue to be minimized and carefully controlled and managed by Fairfax Water. When the project is complete, all disturbed unpaved areas will be graded and seeded and paved areas impacted by the construction will be repaved to meet VDOT standards.