Columbia Pike Utility Undergrounding & Streetscape Improvements: County Line to Four Mile Run

Construction Update – March 2019

Fort Myer’s crews continue with the installation of new sanitary sewer and storm sewer mains. This work is occurring in the middle of Columbia Pike, and there will be ongoing lane closures with traffic congestion expected. Be safe and watch out for construction workers and pedestrians within this area.

Bus stop relocations

The contractor has requested to move two bus stops while utility undergrounding work is underway. Notices will be installed at the existing stops alerting bus riders of these temporary moves.

The eastbound bus stop and shelter at the southwest corner of Columbia Pike and South Columbus Street will be relocated east near the 7-Eleven.

The westbound bus stop at Columbia Pike and South Dinwiddie Street, next to the Columbia Pike Shopping Center, will be relocated east to a parking bay on Columbia Pike in front of the Arlington Mill Community Center. Drivers will be prohibited from parking at this location and signs will be posted.

Water service disruptions

All testing for the new water main and laterals is complete. Fort Myers’ contractor, Amerigal, anticipates connecting the remaining three laterals — for 55-Hundred, Wildwood and Wildwood Towers — within the next few weeks, weather permitting.

There will be water service disruptions as the remaining properties along this section of Columbia Pike are connected to the new water main. The water disruption at each affected property is expected to last 2 to 3 hours, but it could last longer if crews run into complications. The contractor will provide notice to affected properties 48 hours before the start of this work.

Location

Columbia Pike from the Arlington/Fairfax County line to Four Mile Run (aka, the west end)

Status

Construction

Fort Myer, the County’s contractor for this project, received its Notice to Proceed on Feb. 20, 2018. Crews are beginning construction on the undergrounding phase first, moving in a west (South Jefferson Street) to east (Four Mile Run Bridge) direction.

Total project construction, including utility undergrounding and street improvements, is expected to last approximately three years.

Fort Myer will continue performing intermittent night work along Columbia Pike, as needed, when work is being performed at intersections. Nighttime work hours will be 9 pm to 7 am, Monday through Friday. Noise impacts will include back-up alerts from construction vehicles and noise from heavy vehicles and equipment (i.e. loaders, excavators, compressors, dump trucks, etc.).

The contractor has the option of Saturday work for the duration of the project. Saturday work hours are 10 am to 6 pm.

About the Project

This work is part of the Columbia Pike multimodal project that will make Columbia Pike a safer, more accessible route for all users. Arlington is transforming this main thoroughfare into a complete street that balances all modes of travel and supports high-quality, high-frequency transit service.

In addition to visible improvements to the road, extensive work will occur below the roadway – to replace aging and leak-prone water and sewer pipes and to bury existing overhead utilities underground.

Public Process

Staff provided the following project update to the Columbia Forest Civic Association in March 2018 and the Arlington Mill Civic Association in May 2018:

In May and June 2017, staff from the project team and public art gave project updates to community stakeholders: