Major Flood Mitigation Project In Alexandria Makes Progress In Design Phase

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Alexandria is taking a step forward in one of its major projects to address stormwater capacity-related flooding.

The Commonwealth, Ashby, Glebe Flood Mitigation Project, a $50 million project to increase stormwater sewer capacity to provide flooding relief to surrounding areas, reached a 60 percent completion of the design phase milestone. The project had been at the 30 percent design phase milestone in fall 2023, and the 90 percent design submission could be completed in the fall.

The project centers on neighborhoods around Commonwealth Avenue and East Glebe Road, and Ashby Street and East Glebe Road, is one of two major stormwater capacity projects in the Flood Action Alexandria program. The city has been accelerating funding for flood mitigation projects and earmarking more funds through increases in the stormwater utility fee paid by property owners. The areas around the intersection have grappled with repeated and more frequent flooding, as the current stormwater infrastructure is not built to handle stormwater from intense storms.

According to the latest Flood Action Alexandria newsletter, the 60 percent design phase provides more detailed construction drawings, structural design, erosion and sediment control, stormwater management facility design, landscaping, and traffic mitigation plans during construction.

The design calls for new parallel relief sewers to provide more stormwater capacity and provide a new outfall to send stormwater flow to Four Mile Run. According to the project website, construction could start in summer 2026 and be completed in summer 2029.

The city held an open house on the project plans and to share the expected construction impacts with residents. A virtual open house with presentation boards is posted on the project website. Presentation boards share the future construction impacts for different areas of the project — around Cora Kelly School, the outfall near Four Mile Run, Commonwealth Avenue from Reed Avenue to Glebe Road, the Commonwealth Avenue and Glebe Road intersection, Commonwealth Avenue from Glebe Road to Ashby Street, East Glebe Road, and Montrose Avenue.