A $4.6 million multi-year project to address tunnel repairs in Downtown Staunton is nearing the next phase as the city prepares to award a construction contract for the job.
The project will address structural repairs to the creek tunnels beneath Byers, West Johnson and New streets.
It will be paid for through a new infrastructure capital improvement fund established by Staunton City Council this year. Revenue will come from a two-cent increase in the real estate tax rate, as well as proceeds from the sale of three parcels in Staunton Crossing.
The bid, submitted by Virginia Infrastructure of Lexington, is under financial and legal review. The contract could be executed later this month. The first several weeks after that will focus on preparation, planning and materials procurement.
“Although residents may not see equipment right away, these early weeks are some of the most critical,” said Lyle Hartt, city engineer. “The contractor will be finalizing bypass pumping plans, traffic management plans and ordering long lead-time materials.”
Visible work is anticipated to begin in late February or March, he said.
The need for maintenance on the tunnels was realized after a major flood in 2020 that impacted downtown Staunton, particularly the Wharf area. Following the flooding, the city commissioned flood mitigation studies that recommended focusing on tunnel maintenance and improvement to increase flood resilience.
A structural evaluation of the tunnels began earlier this year, and engineers discovered areas where the tunnels could no longer safely support heavy loads, leading to immediate traffic restrictions.
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There will be some disruptions to parking and traffic while the work is being completed, especially in the Wharf area.
The city is working to address those issues with detours, additional parking, wayfinding and signage, preserving pedestrian access, coordination with businesses and public communication throughout the process.
“We know these repairs will create temporary challenges downtown, especially in the Wharf district, and we appreciate the community’s patience as we move forward,” said Leslie Beauregard, city manager.
“Addressing the tunnel conditions now, before a more serious failure can occur, is essential for public safety and the long-term health of our infrastructure.
“Throughout this project, our goal is to keep downtown accessible, support local businesses and communicate clearly so residents know what to expect at each phase,” she said.
For ongoing updates, visit http://www.staunton.va.us/tunnelrepairs.
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Crystal Graham
