Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Public Works outlines Capitol Landing Road, dam and water projects; construction timelines depend on right-of-way and grants
Loading...
Summary
Public Works updated council on major projects including Capitol Landing Road (right-of-way underway, construction hoped for 2027), Waller Mill Dam (VDEM reclassification, 100% grant-funded, design ~90%), pump station rehabilitations slated for design completion by July and potential 2026 construction, and water filter inspections tied to PFAS mitigation decisions.
Public Works Director Mister Reid briefed the Williamsburg City Council Jan. 8 on key departmental projects, noting the department manages roughly 50 projects and highlighting several that will affect traffic, stormwater and water treatment.
Reid said the Capitol Landing Road project will place overhead utilities underground, add curb and gutter, sidewalks and streetscaping, and realign an intersection into a signalized four‑way access to the sports complex. Preliminary engineering is concluding and the city is in right-of-way negotiations with one remaining property owner; staff hopes to put the project out to bid in the fall and begin construction in 2027, subject to grant paperwork and permitting. Reid cautioned paperwork on grant-funded projects can extend schedules.
On Waller Mill Dam, Reid said Virginia Department of Emergency Management reclassified the dam as high hazard, requiring upgrades to raise the dam and increase flood capacity. The city applied for and received a FEMA/VDEM grant covering 100% of the project; plans are about 90% complete with bidding targeted later this year and construction anticipated in 2027.
Reid described pump station rehabilitations (Pump Stations 6 and 9): with available design funds, design work is underway and expected to finish by July, with potential construction in 2026. He also said filter inspections at the water treatment plant are overdue, with the original manufacturer slated to inspect in February and assess whether sand media needs replacement; if so, staff will consider granular activated carbon to address contaminants, including PFAS.
Council members thanked staff, asked for neighborhood-specific details for pump-station locations and confirmed the city recently received authorization to enter the right-of-way phase for Capitol Landing Road. Reid said he would provide additional location details on request.
The council did not take formal action on these updates during the presentation; staff noted anticipated procurement and bidding steps in coming months.
