On Tuesday, October 29, the City of Lynchburg held a groundbreaking ceremony for LYHBeyond, the Blackwater CSO Tunnel Project, celebrating the start of the largest capital improvement project in Lynchburg’s history and the most impactful project to date in protecting the city’s cherished waterways. The event, held at the construction site at 16 Seventh Street, brought together elected leaders, City and state officials, contractors, stakeholders, and the community.

“Today’s groundbreaking begins the final chapter of a significant upgrade to our city’s water management system,” said Lynchburg Mayor Stephanie Reed. “This work is not just about pipes and treatment facilities; it’s about safeguarding our natural resources and enhancing the quality of life for everyone who calls Lynchburg home.” 

Mayor Reed recognized elected officials in attendance for their support of CSO investment, including Delegate Wendell Walker, State Sen. Mark Peake, Councilmember Sterling Wilder, and former Councilman Randy Nelson. 

Lynchburg City Manager Wynter Benda highlighted what the project means for the city’s future. “Today, as we look to the future, we can be proud that we are not just investing in infrastructure; we’re investing in the health and resilience of Lynchburg,” Benda said.  

Tim Mitchell, Director of Lynchburg Water Resources, added, “It is not every day that there is a groundbreaking for a utility project. However, this is certainly not your typical project,” Mitchell said. “This is our most ambitious project ever… the largest capital project in the City’s history and is essentially the capstone of our CSO program.” 

Mitchell also spoke about the City’s proactive approach over the past four decades to address combined sewer overflows and the results of that work. “Being proactive has served us well, from negotiating favorable terms in our Consent Order, twice, shaving years off the program, saving millions of dollars and positioning us to take advantage of state and federal funding opportunities,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell recognized the contributions of the project’s design engineer Stantec, construction contractor Atkinson Construction and Clark Water, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Lynchburg Water Resources staff and U.S. Pipe.

When completed in 2027, the Blackwater CSO Tunnel will be a nearly mile-long, 12-foot in diameter, up to 120-foot-deep tunnel beneath the Blackwater Creek that will serve as a storage facility for combined sewage/stormwater during heavy rain events, keeping excess sewage from overflowing into our waterways. Combined with the efforts over the past 40 years, it will result in a 98% reduction in combined overflows in the city since the 1970s.

For more information on LYHBeyond: The Blackwater CSO Tunnel Project, including videos, a project map, construction schedule, CSO history and more, click HERE.