Tunnel Complete In Alexandria's RiverRenew Project To Remediate Sewers

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The RiverRenew Tunnel Project to remediate Alexandria's old combined sewer outfalls and prevent future pollution into waterways reached a major milestone, according to AlexRenew.

The 2.2-mile tunnel, about 12 feet wide and 100 feet deep, has been completed for the RiverRenew project after underground work since November 2022. Hazel, the tunnel boring machine named for environmental activist Hazel Johnson, and crews completed the tunnel by breaking through a 100-foot-deep shaft south of Oronoco Bay. The shaft will collect sewage overflows from an existing combined sewer outfall and direct it to the new tunnel. The tunnel runs along Alexandria's waterfront, turns east at Jones Point Park and turns back to the AlexRenew facility below Church Street.

"The collective efforts of our team to achieve this momentous milestone are nothing short of awe-inspiring," said AlexRenew general manager and CEO Justin Carl. "Their dedication and perseverance pave the way for a brighter future for the Potomac River and its surrounding communities."

AlexRenew, the city's wastewater treatment provider, is leading the project to build a new tunnel to redirect sewage from the four combined sewer outfalls. The existing outfalls send sewage to a wastewater treatment facility when the weather is dry, but too much rain in the system can cause a mix of stormwater and sewage to overflow into local waterways.

The combined sewer outfalls, dating back to the 1860s, must be remediated per a Virginia General Assembly requirement. The new infrastructure is expected to prevent millions of gallons of combined sewage from entering the region's waterways.

The project was originally given a deadline of July 1, 2025, but the Virginia General Assembly recently gave it a one-year extension due to 2022 manufacturing and shipping delays.

Work is expected to continue through 2025. Remaining parts of the project include completing a smaller sewer line along Hooffs Run, fitting out the massive drop shafts, and constructing a 12-story underground pumping station at AlexRenew.

The next update on the RiverRenew Tunnel Project will happen at AlexRenew's open house on Saturday, April 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will be held at 501 North Union Street and will be open to all ages and pets. Attendees can learn about the project, see displays and interact with a Hazel photo op.

For more information about the project, visit www.riverrenew.com.