Stormwater Spot Improvement Projects

Flood solutions in neighborhoods across the City.
Page updated on September 27, 2023 at 3:55 PM

UNDER CONSTRUCTION: Spot Improvement Projects in Alexandria

City engineers work with on-call contractors to design and execute spot improvement projects to bring flood relief to Alexandria neighborhoods.

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City Civil Engineer Ehsanullah Hayat (left) measures the depth of a new inlet on Martha Custis Drive as he meets with contractors to check the progress of the project on Jan. 19. (City of Alexandria)
A City engineer (right) talks with the construction foreman from D&F Construction (center) as crews break ground to install larger storm drain inlets on West Del Ray Avenue on July 21.
Mason
A construction crew installs a check valve on East Mason Street in November 2021.
Mason
A construction crew installs a check valve on East Mason Street in November 2021.
Hume Avenue
An engineer with the Stormwater Management Division observes progress on a spot improvement project to increase inlet capacity on Hume Avenue in February 2022.
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A construction crew works on a spot improvement project to increase inlet capacity on Clifford Avenue in March 2022.
TEST CFM
A construction crew works on a spot improvement project to increase inlet capacity on Clifford Avenue in March 2022.
Test CFM
An engineer with the Stormwater Management Division examines a stormwater structure on Commonwealth Avenue for a possible spot improvement project.
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01192023 IMG_7395
City Civil Engineer Ehsanullah Hayat (left) measures the depth of a new inlet on Martha Custis Drive as he meets with contractors to check the progress of the project on Jan. 19. (City of Alexandria)
A City engineer (right) talks with the construction foreman from D&F Construction (center) as crews break ground to install larger storm drain inlets on West Del Ray Avenue on July 21.
Mason
A construction crew installs a check valve on East Mason Street in November 2021.
Mason
A construction crew installs a check valve on East Mason Street in November 2021.
Hume Avenue
An engineer with the Stormwater Management Division observes progress on a spot improvement project to increase inlet capacity on Hume Avenue in February 2022.
test cfm
A construction crew works on a spot improvement project to increase inlet capacity on Clifford Avenue in March 2022.
TEST CFM
A construction crew works on a spot improvement project to increase inlet capacity on Clifford Avenue in March 2022.
Test CFM
An engineer with the Stormwater Management Division examines a stormwater structure on Commonwealth Avenue for a possible spot improvement project.

In order to address localized flooding and drainage issues, the Stormwater Management Division targets neighborhoods for spot improvement projects. These are small capital projects designed to support the increased functionality of the City’s storm sewer system, which is comprised of hundreds of miles of underground pipes, culverts, inlets, grates, manholes and “flap gates” or “check valves.”

Spot improvement projects follow a prescribed order of project management: (1) Investigation, (2) Planning, (3) Design, and (4) Construction/Implementation. Design does include conceptual design and/or preliminary design considerations. These projects differ from large CIP capacity projects in that they typically do not require the additional steps of formal procurement for design and construction as a majority of the work is done in-house and using on-call contractors, so these Spot improvement projects can be delivered faster. The City's Public Works Services division handles small maintenance and repair projects on public property.

Spot Improvement Project Tracker

Master Schedule Project Tracker

The master schedule for proposed flood mitigation projects across the City. 

Under Construction Spot Improvement Projects

• Park Fairfax: Add and increase the size of existing inlets for a total of 13 inlets 

In Design Spot Improvement Projects

  • Mt. Vernon Ave. (near Blue Park) Cul-de-sac: Replace inlets, provide storage and check valves, extend storm sewer with new inlets
  • Mount Vernon Avenue (near Blue Park) Alley: Improve alley and drainage, extend storm sewer
  • Oakland Terrace Timber Branch Banks: Stabilize degrading and eroding banks, protect sanitary sewer line
  • Hume Avenue Bypass & associated check valve
  • North Overlook: drainage

Under Investigation Spot Improvement Projects

 

  • South Jordan Street
  • East Monroe Avenue and Wayne Street
  • North Columbus Street alley
  • Carlisle Drive alley
  • Walleston Court: Bank Stabilization 

Completed Spot Improvement Projects

  • East and West Del Ray Avenue: Increased inlet capacity for existing inlets, new inlets added
  • Clifford/Manning/Fulton: Increased inlet capacity
  • Hancock Avenue at Alexandria Street alley: Installed storm pipe at culvert 
  • Angel Park: Replaced broken pipe in park flooding the park grounds
  • Saylor Place: Replaced 280-feet of rusted ditch pipe with polyethylene plastic channel
  • 901 N. Ashton St.: Emergency repair of pipe, mitigate erosion, and restoration of property and fences washed away or damaged from the landslide
  • Founders Park: Repaired infrastructure to improve drainage for park and adjacent property, including a parking garage
  • West Alexandria Street alley: Improved alley drainage 
  • Hume Avenue near Commonwealth Avenue: Increased inlet capacity
  • East Alexandria Street: Installed check valve 
  • 300 block of East Mason Avenue: Repaired and replaced check valves (2) 
  • Pitt Street and Gibbon Street alley: Public Works Services raised sidewalk and added a curb to help prevent water from entering alley 
  • 1414 & 1416 Ruffner Dr.: Phase I, Rehab Yard Inlet with grated lid
  • 708 W. Braddock: Added storm inlet 

How Spot Improvement Projects are Identified

Spot Improvement projects are one asset under the Flood Action Alexandria program, which tackles flooding problems in a comprehensive manner. Projects are identified based on neighborhood site visits and data collected through the Alex311 service request system.

City engineers and on-call contractors conduct most work for spot improvement projects, so they can be completed faster than a typical capacity project that requires additional steps for formal procurement for design and construction. The City’s Public Works Services division handles small maintenance and repair projects on public property.

How Spot Improvement Projects are Funded

Spot Improvement Projects are supported through the Capital Improvement Program and Stormwater Utility Fee.

With increased frequency of severe storms, City Council voted to increase the Stormwater Utility Fee to provide additional capital and operating resources to accelerate spot improvement projects.