Lynchburg launches historic Blackwater CSO Tunnel Project, setting new standards in water management

In a pivotal moment for Lynchburg’s environmental and infrastructural future, the city celebrated the groundbreaking of the Blackwater CSO Tunnel Project, dubbed LYHBeyond, on October 29. This project marks the most significant capital investment in Lynchburg’s history, aimed at protecting local waterways and advancing the city’s combined sewer overflow (CSO) management, which has been a challenge for decades.

The event at the construction site on 16 Seventh Street brought together prominent state and local leaders, city officials, project contractors, and the community. Mayor Stephanie Reed, underscoring the project’s significance, remarked that the initiative was about far more than just pipes and treatment facilities—it was about preserving Lynchburg’s natural environment and improving the quality of life for its residents.

City Manager Wynter Benda highlighted the tunnel’s role as a strategic investment, not only in the infrastructure but in the long-term health and sustainability of Lynchburg itself. Tim Mitchell, the Director of Lynchburg Water Resources, framed the Blackwater CSO Tunnel as the city’s most ambitious undertaking to date, describing it as the final chapter of a comprehensive upgrade to the water management system. He pointed out that this milestone project stands as a testament to decades of proactive work and collaboration.

Mitchell spoke in detail about Lynchburg’s long-standing dedication to addressing combined sewer overflows. Over the past 40 years, the city has implemented forward-thinking measures, including successful negotiations to modify its Consent Order, which reduced the timeline for improvements and saved millions of dollars. This history of strategic, proactive action has allowed Lynchburg to position itself for vital state and federal funding.

The Blackwater CSO Tunnel, a joint effort between design engineer Stantec, and contractors Atkinson Construction and Clark Water, will span nearly a mile in length, with a 12-foot diameter and a depth reaching up to 120 feet beneath Blackwater Creek. Designed to store combined sewage and stormwater during heavy rainfall, the tunnel will prevent overflow into the city’s waterways, ultimately reducing combined overflows by 98% from levels seen in the 1970s.

The project, which is slated for completion by 2027, is expected to be a game-changer in water resource management and a point of pride for the Lynchburg community. The Department of Environmental Quality and U.S. Pipe were also recognized for their contributions to this landmark effort. Experts in environmental and urban infrastructure have lauded the city’s approach, noting that this level of dedication serves as a model for other municipalities facing similar challenges.

The city’s comprehensive work on CSO management has set a precedent in environmental stewardship. According to industry specialists, this project demonstrates that investing in large-scale, sustainable infrastructure is essential for urban resilience in the face of climate variability and aging city frameworks. The Blackwater CSO Tunnel exemplifies how cities can transform long-term challenges into future opportunities.