Locust Avenue water line replacement phase two open house

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The Charlottesville Department of Utilities is hosting an open house for Phase Two of the Locust Avenue Water Line Replacement Project. The community is invited to stop by Sunrise Elementary School on Thursday, October 15, any time between 4:30 and 6:00 PM to chat with those involved with the project. Light refreshments will be available.

The water main along Locust Avenue was installed in 1924, and due to its age, has experienced a steady increase in breaks and leaks with a notable rise to one leak per year in the last decade and three leaks in 2021 alone. This project is part of the Department of Utilities’ ongoing replacement of outdated infrastructure throughout the entire water distribution system and will improve service by bringing the water system in the area up to current industry standards. The replacement will significantly enhance system reliability and reduce the risk of future service disruptions.

Phase One took place between East High Street and the Route 250 Bridge and was completed in the spring of 2026. Phase Two is scheduled to begin the week of October 19 and will take place between Locust Lane and the Route 250 Bridge, with initial construction occurring between Locust Lane and Smith Street. This first section of work is expected to take three to four months to complete. Once this section is completed, there will be a pause in construction until early summer 2027. This planned pause in work is based on experiences from Phase One and is intended to help mitigate interference caused by winter weather and reduce the impact of construction to the area. The second section of work for Phase Two will occur between Smith Street and the Route 250 Bridge, and, like the first section, is expected to take three to four months to complete.

Representatives from the Department of Utilities, the city’s traffic engineer, engineering firm AH Engineering Consultants, and the contractor hired to perform the replacement, Pyramid Construction, will be available at the open house to answer your questions about the project and provide information on what to expect while the street is under construction.

The Department of Utilities is committed to providing first-rate utility services, and the Locust Avenue Water Line Replacement Project will contribute to strengthening the long-term sustainability, resiliency, and efficiency of the water distribution system for all of Charlottesville and will help ensure the community continues to receive reliable, high-quality water.

For questions about the project, email utilitiesoutreach@charlottesville.gov. Periodic updates on the project can be found by visiting www.charlottesville.gov/utilitiescip.