Kingstowne Pond 4–5 dam reaches final design; permits and bids precede 2–2½-year construction

Morgan Sorrell, the project manager for the Kingstowne Pond 4–5 dam rehabilitation, told residents at a final-design community meeting that the project is now at 100% signed plans and staff are finishing required permits before soliciting bids and beginning construction. “I will be the project manager and your main point of contact for this project moving forward,” Sorrell said.

The work will reconstruct the dam and spillway system to comply with Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation Dam and Safety regulations, restore the permanent pool where possible and increase pond size to reduce stormwater runoff, the team said. Sorrell said the county concluded a full dam rehabilitation would expand benefits beyond simply rebuilding the original structure; the dam originally failed in September 2010 and the county held earlier community briefings, including a concept-phase meeting in April 2019.

Project staff showed a map locating primary construction access on Old Telegraph Road across from Hayfield Secondary School and a secondary access at Kingstowne Village Parkway. “I’ll be your main point of contact here,” Sorrell said, adding that the construction manager will be on site more frequently. Keshawn Kirkwood, introduced as the construction manager, said residents should contact him first once construction begins.

The team said it plans to minimize off-site grading, install a maintenance access road, and maintain walkable connections along the toes of the dams for ponds four and five. Post-construction work includes a diverse planting plan intended to improve habitat and aesthetics; planting will follow appropriate planting seasons and staged inspections.

Officials warned of safety-driven trail closures for the duration of the project. The trailhead near Kingstowne Village Parkway and the path to the opposite side of the community will be closed during construction, the presenters said, and staff have coordinated with the Park Authority on closures and the final trail and maintenance-road configuration.

Because the main construction access is adjacent to Hayfield Secondary School, staff have coordinated with Fairfax County Public Schools and school administration on safety measures, bus and pedestrian routing, and timing to limit impacts on students and staff. The presenters emphasized outreach to parents and school staff to maintain safety during bus and school-traffic periods.

Sorrell said the team is completing permit applications now; once permits are secured the project will move to bidding and then construction, which the presenters estimated would take about two to two-and-a-half years and include regular inspections. A pre-construction community meeting (described as a “part-in-the-dust” meeting) is expected about six months to a year after permits are obtained.

The meeting concluded by opening the floor to questions; the presenters left contact information on the screen for follow-up and asked attendees to raise hands before speaking so the Q&A could be orderly.

What happens next: staff will finish permits, begin the bid process, schedule a pre-construction community meeting for residents, and start construction after contracting and permit approvals. Trail closures and school-coordination measures will be scheduled and communicated before work begins.