The City of Lynchburg, Virginia, has reached a significant milestone on the largest infrastructure project in the city’s history. The construction team for the Blackwater CSO Tunnel, Atkinson Construction, recently completed tunnel excavation and installation of the drop shafts.
The tunnel serves as the capstone project of Lynchburg’s 45-year combined sewer overflow (CSO) program. Stantec is providing design and construction management services for the landmark project.
The nearly mile-long tunnel will help prevent combined sewage and stormwater from overflowing into local waterways during significant rainfall events. Once complete, the tunnel is expected to play a key role in supporting Lynchburg’s long-term water quality goals.
Despite the challenges encountered during tunnel excavation, the project team completed the drill and blast operation on schedule and achieved a remarkable level of precision. The crews hit the centers of two pre-drilled pilot holes, confirming the tunnel alignment exactly as designed.
“Completing tunnel excavation is a major milestone for this project and the City of Lynchburg,” said Tim Mitchell, director of the Department of Water Resources at the City. “Stantec and Atkinson have been strong partners for this project. We are very pleased with the progress of the project and appreciate the dedication and skill of everyone involved.”
“Having worked on the City’s CSO program over the last 17 years, I’m honored to be part of the team to improve Lynchburg’s waterways,” said Lin Liang, vice president and the project principal-in-charge at Stantec.
Now that excavation and shaft construction are complete, crews have begun installing the cast-in-place concrete tunnel lining. The project team expects the main phase of construction to be complete in fall 2027.
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