The City of Richmond greatly values the James River as its sole source of finished drinking water and is also very cognizant of its beloved home for recreation and beautiful aquatic life.  Over the years, the City’s commitment and work along with that of its partners has vastly improved the quality of the river with greater access to all visitors.  The Pipeline Trail, which is suspended above the James River, is the catwalk built when part of the City’s Combined Sewer System (CSS) pipe was installed nearly 50 years ago.

These Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are a means to keep the public informed about current events involving the modified access to the Pipeline.

1. Who is responsible for maintaining the Pipeline?

There are many stakeholders. CSX owns the railway, while the City of Richmond has multiple departments with a vested interest.  The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is responsible for maintaining the 42” sewer pipe.  The Department of Parks & Recreation (PRCF) manages all parks within the City, including the James River System.  From a city maintenance and operation perspective, the Pipeline is not within the James River Park System or trail area and therefore not maintained by PRCF.

Short- and long-term decisions about the comprised sewer pipe on the trail will include these and other stakeholders.

2. Who has the authority to limit access to the Pipeline?

Please see response #1 above.  Stakeholders are working together collaboratively.

3. Are the sewer repairs complete? And if so, why is the Pipeline closed to the public?

From a safety perspective, the area of pipe that leaked in July 2024 remains closed to the public.  The long-term plan for the compromised sewer pipe is under development by engineers.  DPU is working closely with Parks & Recreation, CSX and the City of Richmond Risk Management on the variables involved.  For this reason, the City strongly encourages the public to remain off the Pipeline while engineers focus on the long-term solution.

4. If the sewer repairs are complete, when will the large straps be removed from the sewer pipe?

While the sewer pipe is empty, abandoned, and isolated from any active CSS infrastructure, it is still compromised.  A fence has been resurrected to protect a portion of the sewer pipe, which is referred to as “the work zone”.  The goal of the fence is to avoid tampering with the existing straps, eliminate foot traffic and minimize safety concerns on this portion of the Pipeline.

5. How does this sewer pipe impact water quality for the James River?

The Pipeline is part of the City’s CSS and is a combined pipe that carries both sewer and stormwater. Any damage to or malfunction of the pipe could cause leaks, which is what occurred this summer.  It is important to note that this part of the City’s infrastructure is not included in the requirements for Senate Bill 1064, which requires the City to accelerate its work on reducing combined sewer overflows.

Senate Bill 1064 involves three specific phases to help reduce CSO overflows by 2035.

• Phase 1 – Interim Plan involving 10 projects with completion by July 1, 2027
• Phase 2 – Final Plan involving 4 projects with completion by July 1, 2035
• Phase 3 – Green Infrastructure (ongoing)

6. If the Pipeline is not included in the SB 1064 regulation, what caused the recent leaks in July 2024?

There were two separate events that occurred in July 2024:

1. On July 2, DPU reported a CSS weather event to Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) as required by the City’s VPDES permit.
2. On July 15, the bypass pump, which carries flow away from the existing pipe, went offline, causing the sewer pipe to expand and overflow into the James River.

7. Is the Pipeline safe to visit?

No.  When river levels are low, the pipeline can easily be seen. The opposite occurs when the river levels are high – the pipeline is submerged beneath the fast-flowing river, making it unsafe to traverse.  Additionally, the portion of the sewer pipe located in the work zone remains compromised. DPU continues to perform regular monitoring of the pipe while engineering solutions are under review.

8. When will the public learn more about the long-term engineering design?

DPU is currently working with the engineering firm to assess both the short- and long-term needs.  DPU is committed to providing regular updates to the public via our website at www.rva.gov/public-utilities 

9. When will the public learn more about the long-term status of the Pipeline?

All stakeholders recognize the public’s interest for recreational access to this portion of the James River, which is why the decision for the long-term status will not be made lightly. This will be a shared decision amongst several stakeholders and will need to include the review and potential revision of easements, access and ownership.  In the meantime, City Councilmembers will continue to receive regular updates.

10. As a river enthusiast, are there other locations where I can access the James River?

Yes. The James River can still be accessed at locations such as Pony Pasture, Reedy Creek, Ancarrows Landing, the Wetlands, Great Shiplock Park, Belle Isle, Dock Street and Tredegar Put In.  There are also overlooks on the floodwall, which lead to both banks of the river for viewing points in addition to the access points listed above. 

Posted September 18, 2024

~ Feedback needed on the conceptual plans study ~

RICHMOND, Va. –   The Department of Public Works (DPW) invites the community to attend a public meeting September 30 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. to discuss conceptual roadway design options for the Cherokee Road Traffic Safety Improvements Project. The meeting will be held at the Southampton Recreation Association, located at 3201 Chellowe Road, Richmond, VA 23225.

Residents are encouraged to attend the meeting to review the conceptual design plans aimed at helping prevent runoffs and to improve the roadway for pedestrians.

For more on the Department, please visit us online at rva.gov/public-works or email us at [email protected]

We’re Social! For updates on DPW-related projects, activities and events visit us on X @DPW_RichmondVA

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The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is one of only 195 currently accredited public works agencies in the United States. DPW’s portfolio comprises a wide array of services to include leaf collection; street, sidewalk and alley maintenance; trash collection; recycling; grass cutting;  graffiti removal; parking enforcement; urban forestry; street signs; traffic signals and pavement markings and civil engineering. In addition, DPW maintains upkeep on most city buildings; issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages the RVA Bike Share program and maintains the fleet of city vehicles. DPW’s operating budget comes from the general fund of the City of Richmond.  For more information about DPW services, click here or call 3-1-1.

Posted September 13, 2024

The City of Richmond greatly values the James River as its sole source of finished drinking water and is also very cognizant of its beloved home for recreation and beautiful aquatic life. Over the years the City’s commitment and work, along with that of its partners has vastly improved the quality of the river as well as provided greater access to all visitors – including the Pipeline Trail (which was created when the combined sewer/stormwater pipe was installed nearly 50 years ago and suspended above the river).

The heightened focus on the pipeline due to recent repairs has highlighted ongoing safety concerns, which resulted in a temporary closure near the now abandoned section of pipe on the trail. There have been a number of documented safety hazards.

As the City of Richmond’s Department of Public Utilities focuses on the long-term solution of the combined sewer pipe with the catwalk (i.e. that has become known as the Pipeline Trail), ongoing access to this aging infrastructure will be required. Therefore, the portion of the trail that is the abandoned pipe will remain closed to the public to ensure the safety of all. The City strongly cautions against any rivergoers from traveling to the “beach” area near the pipe as safety hazards exist. The City of Richmond realizes a number of visitors access the river at this point. The James River can still be accessed at locations such as Pony Pasture, Reedy Creek, Ancarrows Landing, the Wetlands, Great Shiplock Park, Belle Isle, Dock Street or Tredegar Put-In.

The City of Richmond is excited to announce the beginning of the public engagement phase for its comprehensive parks and recreation vision plan. This initiative, named Richmond INSPIRE (Imagining Neighborhood-Shaping Parks and Inclusive Recreation Experiences), A Citywide Vision Plan for Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities aims to develop a world-class park and recreation system that is equitable, resilient, and cherished by all residents. 

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities (PRCF) and consultant team Design Workshop will be starting the public engagement process through dialogue with residents, staff, partners, stakeholders, and local experts to ensure the vision for the department reflects the community's needs and desires. Throughout this period, workshops will be held across the city in all council districts to facilitate broad participation and input. Additionally, PRCF will be posting a virtual workshop on the website, with online engagement options that residents can access at their convenience if they are unable to attend an in-person. 

Residents are invited to participate in this collaborative effort to create a vibrant and inclusive recreational landscape for all by attending one of the following upcoming workshops: 

Richmond INSPIRE will craft a community-supported vision for parks and recreational spaces, complete with a detailed action plan for phased implementation. To learn more about the master planning process, find ways to get involved, and to RSVP for the upcoming meetings, please visit the website at www.richmondinspire.com. Residents can also access the first community survey. 

Posted August 30, 2024

~ Concert dates: September 5, 12 and 19 from 5:30 – 8 p.m.~

RICHMOND, Va. – The Department of Public Works (DPW) is excited to announce additional free concerts in September with the continuation of the Music at Main Concert Series. These concerts feature notable local musicians. The concerts are designed to bring the community together, celebrate the magic of music, and to showcase the historic Main Street Station.

The concerts will be held Thursday, September 5, 12 and 19 from 5:30 – 8 p.m. at Main Street Station, 1500 East Main Street.

The concert series includes DJ Danja Mowf and Host Kai Valdez (each week) with the following line-up:

• September 5 - Soul Expressions
• September 12 -The Legendary Chuck Brown Band
• September 19 - Legacy

Bring your friends, family, and lawn chairs to join us for a memorable evening of entertainment against the picturesque backdrop of Richmond’s iconic Main Street Station!

Admission is free and open to all.

For more information on the Department of Public Works, please visit us online at www.rva.gov/public-works or send an email to [email protected]

We’re Social! For updates on DPW-related projects, activities and events visit us on X @DPW_RichmondVA

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The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is one of only 195 currently accredited public works agencies in the United States. DPW’s portfolio comprises a wide array of services to include leaf collection; street, sidewalk and alley maintenance; trash collection; recycling; grass cutting; graffiti removal; parking enforcement; urban forestry; street signs; traffic signals and pavement markings and civil engineering. In addition, DPW maintains upkeep on most city buildings; issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages the RVA Bike Share program and maintains the fleet of city vehicles. DPW’s operating budget comes from the general fund of the City of Richmond.  For more information about DPW services, click here or call 3-1-1