Notice to Neighbors - August 2020
NEWPORT NEWS – The HRSD Department of Water Quality, working in partnership with the Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences at the University of Notre Dame and the Division of Environmental Health Sciences College of Public Health at The Ohio State University, has shared the results and methodology of their recent research involving COVID-19 surveillance of wastewater entering HRSD wastewater treatment plants.
--Pipe Installation to Begin--
“Willard Avenue Pump Station Replacement and Sewer Improvements”
Willard Avenue Pump Station Replacement
Hampton Trunk Sewer Extension Division K Gravity Improvements
HRSD Capital Improvement Program Projects (BH013020 & BH014900)
Webpage Reviewed: January 7, 2026
HRSD, your regional wastewater treatment utility, is undertaking a project to replace the existing Willard Avenue Pump Station located at 219 National Avenue and associated gravity sewer lines. The new pump station, located at the corner of S. Willard Avenue and Downes Street, will resolve capacity, operational, and maintenance issues that currently affect the existing pump station as it nears the end of its useful life. The new gravity sewer on Willard Avenue from National Avenue to Downes Street will be replaced to redirect flow and resolve Infiltration and Inflow issues. When the new pump station is completed, the existing pump station will be removed, and the existing site will be returned to green space. Additional gravity sewer work will be completed along Willard Avenue between Downes Street and E. Kelly Avenue to resolve similar infiltration and Inflow issues.
To view the map of the Willard Avenue Pump Stations, click here.
Project Cost: $16,000,000
October 2025 - Construction Status Update #19
August 2025 - Construction Status Update #18a
May 2025 - Construction Status Update #18
May 2025 - Construction Status Update #17a
March 2025 - Construction Status Update #17
March 2025 - Construction Status Update #16
January 7, 2026
Gravity sewer installation and associated manhole work is continuing with finalization of work in the intersection of Willard and Downes to be completed by Early 2026. Work will then occur from National Avenue to Downes Street which is expected to be complete by Spring 2026. Following completion of the gravity sewer installation, the old Willard Avenue Pump Station will be demolished.
Restoration will immediately follow. Traffic control and bypass piping will remain in place for the duration of the work, and some detours and road closures may be required. Access and parking for residents and businesses will be maintained.
The majority of the work regarding the pump station will be conducted on HRSD property and will have minimal impact on traffic; however, construction traffic will be entering and exiting the site from S. Willard Avenue and Downes Street. The gravity sewer work planned for S. Willard Avenue will require isolated lane closures. Comprehensive traffic control plans will be implemented to minimize inconvenience.
Fall 2022
Fall 2022 - Spring 2026
Immediately following construction when seasonably appropriate
The project is necessary in order to provide reliable conveyance of sewage in the Phoebus area. Replacing the existing pump station with new modernized infrastructure will help to ensure wastewater capacity is adequate and will optimize HRSD’s ability to protect public health and the environment for decades to come.
The project consists of work to be done on HRSD property as well as sewer pipeline work to be installed in S. Willard Avenue and Downes Street. The majority of this work will be conducted on HRSD property and will have minimal impact on traffic. For the sewer pipeline work being installed in S. Willard Avenue and Downes Street, single lane traffic will be maintained throughout most of construction. Flagging may be used to help direct traffic as needed. Occasionally, block closures requiring minimal detours will be needed. Signage will be in place to direct traffic around any closures.
The contractor will ensure that access to residences and at least one entrance to businesses will be maintained throughout construction. Trash and mail services should not be affected. If necessary, the contractor will move trash containers from within a work zone to an area accessible for pickup and will be responsible for returning them to each residence.
Work will typically take place Monday through Friday during daylight hours (7 a.m. - 5 p.m.). However, there may be times when extended hours, work at night, or weekend work may be necessary.
Your sewer service may be temporarily interrupted while work is performed on the sewer lateral pipe that serves your property or the gravity sewer which accepts flow from your lateral. The contractor will notify you before work begins so you can plan appropriately. Sewer service typically will be restored within several hours. Your water service should not be affected by this project.
Where sewer and lateral pipes are dug up, asphalt, curb, gutters, driveway aprons, and grass will be removed and then restored upon completion of the project.
The typical construction noises such as equipment engines, back-up alarms, materials being delivered, diesel generators, air compressors, sawing, etc. should be anticipated.
The contractor will store materials and supplies on the site of the existing Willard Avenue Pump Station, the new Willard Avenue Pump Station, and in areas of the street that are temporarily closed for construction. The contractor will transport them throughout the project area as they are needed.
Construction workers will not be allowed to park their personal vehicles in areas impacting residents or services such as mail and trash collection. Work trucks will be allowed to park within the active work zone.
The estimated cost for the project is $16 million and is financed by the wastewater treatment fees paid by HRSD customers.
Regular project updates are posted on the HRSD website at www.hrsd.com/construction-status. You may also sign up at www.hrsd.com/subscriptions to receive an email notification whenever the website has an update about the project.
If you have any questions, concerns or comments about the project, please feel free to contact: Shawn Maxfield, HRSD Public Information Specialist, at 757.833.7483 or smaxfield@hrsd.com
RK&K
Newport News, Virginia
Ryan Delo
Kiewit Infrastructure South Co.
Jack Cosgrove
Virtual meeting scheduled via Skype
VIRGINIA BEACH - In adherence with CDC recommendations of physical distancing to minimize the spread and exposure to COVID-19, the August HRSD Commission Meeting will be a virtual meeting held via Skype on Tuesday, August 25 at 9:00 a.m.
Commission agendas are posted on www.hrsd.com/commission three business days prior to each scheduled meeting.
--Baugher Avenue Pipeline Installation--
HRSD, your regional wastewater treatment utility, will begin work to install a sanitary sewer pipeline along Baugher Avenue between Lofurno Road and South Military Highway. This work should take place primarily between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Friday.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
--Construction Work Continues--
HRSD, your regional wastewater treatment utility, continues work to replace a sanitary sewer pipeline located along Huxley Place. This work should take place primarily between the hours of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: