The Western Virginia Water Authority (Authority) shared information with the Neighborhood Development Roundtable Monday, July 22nd, at the Melrose Branch Public Library to update community members about the continued progress of the Melrose Area Waterline Replacement Project.
This two-phase project, which began in March, initially involves the replacement of 23,200 feet of 2-inch galvanized pipe and pre-1930’s cast iron to improve water quality, reduce outages, and improve domestic and fire flows. New water mains will be 8-inch lines.
Crews are currently working on installing the water main for Phase 1A of the project with one crew stationed near Lucy Addison Middle School to try to minimize issues or interruptions once the school year begins. Work crews are utilizing the Carroll Avenue Water Tank to stage and store materials for the project.
David Barnhart, project manager, clarified that the original water service line would remain active until the replacement line is installed, flushed, and tested. Service lateral connections will be switched to the new water mains at that time.
The Authority planned this project with the City of Roanoke, so new waterlines would be installed in the ground before the neighborhood’s roads are repaved during the next fiscal year.
The Authority was awarded Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding though the Virginia Department of Health for the first phase (Phase 1A), and they are awaiting funding approval for the second phase (on the south side of Orange Avenue) to replace an additional 15,700 feet of pipe and cast iron. Estimated project costs for the first and second phases are $10.4 million and $8.2 million, respectively.
Information about the project will be updated on the Authority’s website at www.westernvawater.org/melrosewaterlines.
