Lynchburg to upgrade water lines and electrical systems

 To combat aging waterlines and electrical systems in downtown Lynchburg, the city of Lynchburg and Appalachian Power are partnering in 2019 for the Main Street Renewal Project. 

The project, currently in its planning stages, will replace Main Street’s waterlines, modernize electrical systems and upgrade streetscape features. Construction will begin following the expected summer 2019 completion of the Fifth Street Corridor Utility & Streetscape Project.

“We’re currently still doing all of the design for all of the utility replacements as well as the streetscaping that will go in afterwards,” Lynchburg Water Resources’ Public Information Officer Jes Gearing said. “Overall, it’s going to be all new waterlines and some sewer and storm water improvements.” 

According to a 2018 virtual public meeting from Lynchburg Water Resources, Appalachian Power’s current electrical system was installed in the 1930s. Additionally, Lynchburg features one of the oldest public water systems in the United States, with a 7th Street waterline dating back to 1829. 

“In terms of quality of life, one of things we’re facing here in the city is a very old infrastructure system,” Gearing said. “Especially in downtown, our waterlines are on average over 100 years old. Some of the waterlines that we’ll be working on are upwards of 120, 130 or more years.” 

While Main Street spans more than 10 blocks, the project will be limited to 8th through 12th streets. Several side streets — 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th — will also receive some upgrades. 

“The new pipes that we use, they last about 100 years … It’s newer technology. They’re better pipes,” Gearing said. “Although, when you’re looking at pipes that are over 100, 150 years old, the (current pipes are) pretty good as far as that goes.” 

The renewal project was announced in June 2018 after Appalachian Power approached the city about working together to complete the waterline and electrical systems replacements. However, this project is Phase II of Lynchburg Water Resources’ plan of updating the waterlines throughout the downtown area — a total of about 50 blocks. The two organizations joined forces to keep construction to a minimum on Main Street. 

Though the electrical and water projects will be combined, the construction will still impact business owners, residents and visitors, who have just recovered from the Main Street Bridge replacement construction. The bridge reopened in November of 2018, after two years of planning and construction. 

“With businesses, we’ve been talking with them at this point, but one of the important things is to start with your marketing plan early,” Gearing said. “We still have a decent amount of time before we start (the Main Street Renewal Project).” 

Additionally, the owner of the White Hart Café, Daniel Coco, said businesses should keep their customers updated on the construction downtown. 

“Not knowing what’s going on is probably the biggest fear that anybody would have in deterring them from coming downtown,” Coco said. “I think it’s important that they remain educated on what’s going on specifically, so they don’t have that fear, and then that (business owners) get the word out as to where and what to do when they come downtown.” 

As for downtown residents, Gearing said the Water Resources department will be giving notice for outages in advance.

“For outages, we do give notifications in advance for that, so just keep your eyes peeled if you get email updates from your building manager, or if you get notices on your door, be sure to read those so you know what’s coming down the line in terms of any water or power interruptions,” Gearing said. 

While the construction will inevitably require some outages, Gearing said the project itself will decrease water and power interruptions in the long run. Additionally, the new utilities will increase capacity for future developments on Main Street. 

“The only really negative thing (about the project) would be the process of getting there,” Coco said. “That could be a detriment to people getting to your business and may keep people from coming downtown for a period of time, but I think in the end it’ll be a great thing. … Not only are we fixing things that have been issues over the previous years, but it’ll be a great foundation to sustain things economically and infrastructure wise, we’ll be able to build bigger and better things.”

Coco also voiced his excitement for the finished project, claiming the new streetscape elements — sidewalks, streetlights, benches, etc. — will likely make downtown a safer place to be at night. 

“We may see a larger crowd in the evenings,” Coco said. “I know sometimes even our employees feel unsafe if they’re closing late, walking to their cars. So, if (downtown) is a safer place, we’ll see more people here and our employees will feel safer on their way home.” 

Though not connected to the Main Street Renewal Project, Lynchburg’s Downtown 2040 master plan includes converting Church and Main Streets to two-way traffic. According to the city of Lynchburg’s website, “two-way traffic in downtown areas boosts visibility of retail businesses, slows traffic, reduces crime and creates livable streets.” 

There is no set date for the implementation of two-way traffic. However, when announced in August of 2018, the idea was met with protest from many downtown business owners such as Lynchburg Camera Shop owner Bill Puckett. 

“I have no objection to the water line or electrical service down here. I can see the necessity,” Puckett said. “(But) this two-way traffic stuff is a pure experiment with other people’s livelihoods.”

Puckett wrote a letter to Lynchburg City Council in the fall of 2018 detailing his disapproval of the proposal, which included concerns about delivery schedules. 

While Coco’s coffee shop is located on the small portion of Main Street that does have two-way traffic, he agreed that delivery schedules might change, but new routines will be formed, and Lynchburg will become a better place as a result of the master plan.

“I’m excited looking at the (Downtown) 2040 plan as a whole,” Coco said. “I think once we get there, it’s going to be a good time.”