Fairfax Water Replacing Water Mains on Columbia Pike

For the next three months, Annandale residents can expect the occasional traffic delay on Columbia Pike as Fairfax Water works to replace several water mains with newer materials.

One lane along Columbia Pike will be blocked daily from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. while crews work. According to Jeanne Bailey, spokesperson for Fairfax Water, there will be some occasional night work between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. that will block both lanes on Columbia Pike, but those construction dates will vary.

Construction on the project began in December, said Bailey. The goal of the project is to replace the older mains along the road “with a new 12-inch water main made from stronger, longer lasting materials which will not be as susceptible to water main breaks.”

Crews will replace existing cast iron water mains along Columbia Pike beginning at Gallows Road, leading up to the intersection of Little River Turnpike and Columbia Pike.

As of late January, 25 percent of the new water main has been installed.

The expected project completion date is May 2013. Starting in April, crews will finish pressure testing and disinfecting the new water mains before connecting all Fairfax Water business and residential customers to the new mains.

Crews are expected to begin repaving in June 2013. 

“[Paving] takes a lot longer than people realize and we have several VDOT requirements to meet. We know people like the roads to be paved quickly and we will pave as soon as we can, but it takes a long time,” said Bailey.

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