Work starts July 13 as city shifts to gravity-based flood strategy
Alexandria crews will begin excavating small test pits along parts of Old Town's waterfront July 13 as the city advances a redesigned flood mitigation plan, officials said. The short-term investigation — scheduled through July 24 — is the first visible work since the City Council in June authorized a new approach after a federal decision scuttled the long-promised pump station in Waterfront Park.
The Department of Transportation and Environmental Services said teams will probe underground utilities along King Street, The Strand, Union Street between King and Prince, Prince Street, and within Waterfront Park and Point Lumley Park. The goal is to map existing lines and depths so engineers can finalize design details for the alternative system.
Why the city changed course
The City Council authorized city manager James Parajon to sign a comprehensive deal with design-build contractor Skanska/JMT for what the city labels Option 3 — an enhanced gravity storm sewer combined with backflow prevention measures. That vote followed a February reversal by the National Park Service that effectively ended the plan for a roughly $145 million pump station inside Waterfront Park.
“the proposed pump station an impermissible use under deed restrictions that limit Waterfront Park to open space uses in perpetuity.”
The NPS reversal came after months in which the agency had signaled support, leaving city leaders to return to the drawing board. Project cost estimates also rose dramatically during that time, driven by tariffs, higher labor costs and construction risks.
What the investigation will look for
Contractors will open small pits to locate and measure the depth of utility lines, information that is essential before engineers commit to final alignments and construction methods. City officials say the July work is investigative only and not construction of the flood system itself.
- Dates: utility investigation runs July 13–24.
- Locations: King St., The Strand, Union St. (King–Prince), Prince St., Waterfront Park, Point Lumley Park.
- Next steps: complete design based on survey data, then move toward permitting and construction under Skanska/JMT.
Costs, timeline and remaining questions
Project estimates have fluctuated since the effort began nearly a decade ago. The original pump station plan carried a price tag of around $118–145 million, but as the city reassessed options and market conditions changed, total estimates rose substantially.
| Plan element | Estimate / note |
|---|---|
| Original pump station | ~$145 million (plan halted by NPS) |
| Revised estimate range | rose from $118 million to $189 million (per reporting) |
| Current approach | gravity storm sewer + backflow prevention (Option 3) |
City staff have not announced a final construction schedule or a firm total price for Option 3. Funding gaps remain a central concern: earlier escalations pushed projected costs beyond available money, and the new design must be reconciled with the city's budget and grant prospects.
Local impact and what's next for Old Town
For residents and businesses along the waterfront, the investigation will be the first sign that years of planning may soon move toward construction. While the test pits are small and short-lived, they signal a significant policy and design shift for a project that has been in development since the 2010s.
The pivot also reflects a broader pattern across Virginia and other coastal communities: rising construction costs and regulatory constraints are forcing cities to reconsider traditional flood-control measures in favor of alternatives that are less intrusive, more resilient or that avoid protected public spaces.
City officials say they will share findings from the utility investigations with the public as designs progress. For now, Old Town will watch crews in the streets and await the next phases of a project that aims to shield the waterfront from the floods that have repeatedly disrupted daily life and commerce.
