Project Background
In 2018, a portion of Holmes Run Trail that connects to North Morgan Street was closed due to flooding and severe erosion that undermined stability and integrity of the trail and boardwalk. In 2019, the City received historic flooding, which severely damaged three additional sections of Holmes Run Trail, including two bridge structures.
Staff continues to monitor the impacts of recent cost and schedule trends on City capital infrastructure projects. The City is realizing increases in the costs for design and construction caused by material, service, and labor cost increases. Additionally, supply chain and material issues are causing unanticipated delays. For additional information, read the Fiscal Year 2023 First Quarter Capital Projects Status Report Related to City Council Approved Capital Projects provided to City Council on January 24, 2023.
Project Budget
Design & Construction Funding Approved: $7,200,000 City CIP and $5,000,000 Grant
- FY 2021: $6,000,000
- FY 2023: $1,200,000
- Spring 2022: $5,000,000 NVTA Transportation Grant Received (Raised Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge Construction)
Trail Closures & Detours
The damaged sections of trail are currently not safe to use and have been closed to the public. The Approved FY2021 Capital Improvement Program includes funding to restore the trail. Restoring all portions of the trail will be a major undertaking. The City appreciates the community’s patience as it works to plan, fund, design, and construct the trail repairs. In the meantime, trail users are asked to use the detour routes shown in the maps below and follow appropriate warning signage.
Trail Projects
The Holmes Run Trail Repair Project includes four different sections of the Holmes Run Trail that were damaged by flooding. Some repairs are more complex than others and require additional design and engineering to fix. All of the projects are happening simultaneously, although scheduling of the design and construction will vary based on their complexity. The project areas and additional details for each tier are can be found below.
PROJECT SITES:
- Site 1: Holmes Run Trail at Dora Kelly Park - CONSTRUCTION PROCUREMENT
- Site 2: Holmes Run Trail Bridge at Morgan Street cul-de-sac - CONSTRUCTION
- Site 3: Holmes Run Trail at North Ripley Street - CONSTRUCTION
Site 4: Holmes Run Trail Bridge at 4600 Duke Street - COMPLETE
PROJECT STATUS:
- SITE 1
- Funded: Yes (Northern Virginia Transportation Grant)
- Design: Complete
- Construction:
- Construction Start: Anticipated Spring 2025
- Substantial Completion: Anticipated Summer 2027
- Trail Status: Closed
- SITES 2 & 3
- Funded: Yes
- Design: Complete
- Construction: Under Construction
- Construction Contract Awarded: May 2, 2024
- Substantial Completion: Anticipated Summer 2025
- Trail Status: Closed
- SITE 4
- Funded: Yes
- Design: Complete
- Construction: Complete
- Trail Status: Open
| Action | Status | |
| Widen the sidewalk on North Beauregard St. to improve comfort on the detour route | Complete | |
| Install temporary signs to notify residents of the trail closures | Complete | |
| Install barricades to discourage residents from using unsafe sections of trail that are currently closed | Complete | |
| Install permanent signs to notify residents of the trail closures | Complete | |
| Install detour signs and road markings for trail users | Complete | |
| Repair boardwalk & address drainage on Holmes Run Trail between N. Beauregard St. and the damaged bridge near the Morgan St. cul-de-sac | Complete | |
| Repair concrete trail in Dora Kelly Park | Complete | |
| Replace culvert bridge in Holmes Run Park | Complete | |
| Resurface Beatley Bridge | Complete | |
| Resurface Asphalt Trail from Holmes Run Pkwy to Ripley Crossing (south side) | Complete | |
| Repair concrete trail from Duke St. east to Eisenhower Ave. | Complete | |
| Holmes Run Trail Site 4 - 4600 Duke & Jordan Streets Bridge Replacement | Complete | |
| Holmes Run Trail Site 3 - North Ripley Street Access Ramp | Construction | |
| Holmes Run Trail Site 2 - Bridge Replacement west of 395 | Construction | |
| Holmes Run Trail Site 1 - Dora Kelly Park Fair Weather Crossing Replacement | Construction Procurement |
Timeline of Major Activities
- July 2018: Damage occurs to Holmes Run Trail in Dora Kelly Park. Access to Holmes Run Trail remains from North Beauregard Street.
- July 2019: Region receives historic flooding, and damage occurs to three additional areas of Holmes Run Trail. These sections of trail are closed for public safety.
- Fall 2019: City staff requests $6 million in funding for design and construction in upcoming budget (Fiscal Year 2021-2030) to repair sites 1-4.
- February 2020: Start of COVID-19 pandemic. City pivots to respond to public health emergency.
- May 2020: $6 million in funding is approved for site 1-4 repairs in the FY 2021-2030 budget.
- July 2020: Funding that was budgeted for FY 2021 becomes available. City procurement is focused on the COVID-19 response. Staff prepares bid documents for design for Site 1-3 repairs. Decision is made to address the bridge repair at 4600 Duke Street separately (site 4) due to less damage and potential for faster remediation.
- Fall 2020: Procurement activities begin for sites 1-4 repairs.
- Winter 2021: Design for site 4 repairs is complete, and construction contract is advertised.
- Late Winter 2021: Design contract is advertised for site 1-3 repairs.
- Summer 2021: Design contract awarded for site 4 repairs. Design scope adjusted following August 2021 rain event.
- February 2022: Design contract and Notice to Proceed awarded for site 1-3 repairs.
- October 2022/November: Construction contract awarded for site 4 repairs.
- March 2023: Design complete for site 2 & 3 repairs. Construction procurement begins for sites 2 & 3.
- Note: City received $5M grant for the installation of a raised bridge at site 1 (Dora Kelly Park). Site 1 will continue on a separate design and construction process to allow for sites 2 & 3 to continue as planned.
- September 2023: Repairs complete at site 4.
- Construction complete and open to the public.
- May 2024: Construction contract awarded for sites 2 & 3.
- June 2024: Construction begins for sites 2 & 3.
- October 2024: Design complete for site 1. Construction procurement to begin for site 1.
- Winter 2025: Construction contract awarded for site 1.
- Fall 2025: Construction of site 2 & 3 repairs anticipated to be complete.
- Summer 2027: Construction of site 1 repairs anticipated to be complete.
Note: Schedule is subject to change.
Community Engagement & Updates
- July 28, 2021 Community Meeting
- September 2, 2021
- September 17, 2021
- November 17, 2021
- February 10, 2022
- March 2, 2022
- March 15, 2022
- May 6, 2022
- May 16, 2022
- Holmes Run Trail Repairs Stakeholder Group email #8
- May 24, 2022 Holmes Run Trail Repair Project Community Meeting #2 Announcement
- Meeting Presentation
- Holmes Run Trail Repairs Stakeholder Group email #8
- June 10, 2022
- October 25, 2022
- February 9, 2023
- July 7, 2023
- October 10, 2023
- December 22, 2023
- February 11, 2024
- May 5, 2024
- June 19, 2024
- Holmes Run Trail Repairs Stakeholder Group email Update #17
The City will host an open house before construction begins to provide information and answer questions in-person. The open house will be held at Patrick Henry Recreation Center, 4653 Taney Avenue, on Tuesday, June 25, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.- Community Notification Letter(6/18/24)
- Holmes Run Trail Repairs Stakeholder Group email Update #17
- September 18, 2024
- September 20, 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why have portions of Holmes Run Trail been closed?
A: Portions of the trail have been closed due to severe damage from flooding that occurred in 2018 and 2019.
Q: The damage to the trail and bridges doesn’t appear to be very severe. Why can’t the City repair it sooner?
A: While some of the damage may appear superficial, the 2018 and 2019 flood events completely undermined the trail base and caused significant erosion around the trail. The flooding also undermined the structural integrity of the two bridges. The City will need to study how the flood impacted Holmes Run and determine how the trail, bridges, and slopes should be modified/stabilized to minimize potential damage from future flood events.
Q: Is funding available to restore the trail?
A: Yes. As part of the FY2021-FY2030 Approved Capital Improvement Program (CIP), $6 million was allocated to repairing Holmes Run Trail. $1 million is available for design in FY2021, and the remaining $5 million is available beginning in FY2022.
Q: What is the timeline for repairs?
A: Timelines vary on different parts of the trail depending on the level of complexity of the restoration. Design and Construction for the Tier 2 repairs is complete and construction is underway. Due to market factors, construction timelines will be effected. For the Tier 1 areas, the damage is more severe and will require more time to address. The City is currently designing Tier 1 repairs.
Q: What is the best way to get updates on this project?
A: The best way to get updates on the status of the trail repairs is to visit this webpage. Updates will be posted as they occur. Residents may also subscribe to the City’s eNews service .
Holmes Run Trail Damage
