Blackwater CSO tunnel hits midpoint as Lynchburg pushes toward 98% overflow reduction
Lynchburg, Virginia, has reached a significant milestone on its largest ongoing capital project, with construction of the Blackwater CSO Tunnel now halfway complete, ABC13 News reported. The nearly one-mile, 12-foot-diameter tunnel is designed to temporarily store excess stormwater that would otherwise overwhelm the city’s combined sewer system and spill into local waterways.
According to Lynchburg Water Resources, the project remains on schedule and is performing as planned. When complete, the tunnel will further reduce combined sewer overflows (CSOs), building on decades of progress. City officials estimate that CSO reductions—currently at 93% compared to historic levels—will reach approximately 98% once the system is fully operational.
According to ABC13 News, the improved performance is expected to cut average overflow events at the Blackwater Creek retention site from six per year to two, enhancing the environmental health of Lynchburg’s waterways. The project is slated for completion in summer 2027.
See also: Blackwater CSO Tunnel project begins drill-and-blast phase of construction
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