Stormwater Project
Hayfield Road Pipe Project Update
Hayfield Road Pipe Project Update Meeting via Zoom on May 20, 2020 by John Millikin
Your Hayfield Citizens Association held its first virtual membership meeting on Wednesday May 20, 2020 at 7:30pm. At 7:53 pm it was noted that there were 36 in attendance; eight of those were from Fairfax County or were consultants to the County. Zoom software provides an option for recording; thus you may listen to the meeting in its entirety. Project Manager Dave Anglin provided updates for the Hayfield Road Pipe Project with accompanying power point slides and answered several questions after his presentation. You can view the entire meeting by clicking on this link; you must type the required password 4t^a+89! There is limited video as everyone was advised not to show video most of the time to ensure a speedier internet connection.
Cathy Seybold welcomed everyone and Stephanie Garrison moderated the meeting. Aaron Campbell (Constituent Services – Transportation; phone 703-822-8563) represented Lee District Supervisor Rodney Lusk’s office; and Marcus Wadsworth (Transportation, Taxes and Public Works; phone 703-324-2321) represented Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay’s office. Dave Anglin covered these issues and more: Vibration monitoring status; Plunge pool drainage (also see May 2020 HCA newsletter, page 11); Tree Protection Area in the medians. He reiterated that all damaged curb and sidewalks will be replaced with new and roads will be maintained during the project and re-paved completely at the end of the project.
Here is the text from one of Dave Anglin’s slides to report/request repairs:
“If anyone feels that their property has been damaged during this project’s construction, please contact the County’s Risk Management Division at this web link: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/finance/riskmanagement/rmdpropertydamage. For other assistance: Fairfax County Government CenterRisk Management Division12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 215, Fairfax, Virginia 22035-0016, 703-324-3040; TTY 711.”
Your comments about the Zoom format for this meeting are welcome; it is possible that some or many future HCA meetings may have to be virtual meetings. You can send comment to HCA President Cathy Seybold, email cathy@seyboldfamily.org or any other HCA Board member whose contact information can be found on our website.
Hayfield Road Pipe Project Update
The Hayfield Road Pipe Project is on schedule to be completed on time. Here are some additional updates.
Pipe under Telegraph Road – The construction company, Garney, will soon begin work to install the pipe under Telegraph Road at the Telegraph Road / Hayfield Road intersection. This is starting sooner than planned because schools are closed. A more detailed description of work to include time estimates will be provided when confirmed.
Pool of Water at the Outfall – The stormwater pipe “daylights” or opens up at end of Hayfield Road 
near Hayfield Pool into the rock armored plunge pool. The surrounding grade may be causing the water to pool higher than the armoring. If this is the case, engineers will ensure that there is positive drainage away from the plunge pool though there is no guarantee that the plunge pool will always dry out after precipitation events.
Vibration Monitoring – There are three vibration monitors which are moved to remain in proximity to the active excavation work, i.e., they are moved along with the active excavation as it progresses up the street. As of May 8, they were located at 7628, 7700, and 7702 Hayfield Road. Fairfax County has addressed questions raised by residents about allowable levels of vibration. One question was about Fairfax County zoning ordinances. That ordinance is a performance standard for continuous operation, such as a manufacturing facility. If a manufacturer was being permitted for a permanent location for continuous use, then the 0.02in/second threshold would apply so as to not intrude perpetually on the neighbors/community. The Pipe Project construction activity is temporary and Fairfax County is to complete it as soon as possible. With construction, the earthborn vibrations are limited to standards to not damage structures.
Another question was about presence of Fairfax County staff. The County’s engineering inspectors are on the site daily. Depending on the work activity, this may only be a check in. Construction management Project Engineer, Brendan Schillo, is on the site two to three times per week. Typically, Project Manager, Dave Anglin is on site at least once each week. This will change some in the near future based on the anticipated work for the underground pipe installation at the Telegraph Road intersection.
Vandalism May 5 & 6 – Vandalism occurred the nights of May 5 and 6 on Garney Construction equipment. In the May 5 incident someone poured oil into the gas tank of a loader parked in the pool parking lot staging area; also hydraulic fluid was poured or spilled on the ground. In the May 6 incident the front glass of the operator’s cab of a CAT 315 Excavator was shattered. The excavator was parked on center median on Hayfield Road. Police have been notified and enhanced security measures are now in place.
As a reminder, all residents must keep out of the staging area (parking lot) at the pool and also stay clear of all Garney Construction equipment. Certainly all residents will feel safer as soon as this vandalism can be halted. If you see any suspicious activity, please call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.
Progress and General Updates (as of May 8, 2020)
- Curb & gutter and driveway aprons are complete on the lower end from near the pool up to Broadmoor Street.
- Paving the base course of asphalt was completed April 22, 2020 from the pool up close to Broadmoor Street. Remember: The surface course of asphalt will be placed at the end of the project after milling the east-side land and median crossovers.
- Outfall wing walls and plunge pool installed.
- Garney installed the new electric power conduit last week. Dominion was scheduled to complete the relocation recently on Saturday May 9. This connection work required open excavations in two yards.
- After the Dominion completes the relocation, Garney will continue installing box culvert sections.
- Vibration monitors are relocated in proximity to the actual/ongoing work.
- Sanitary sewer main work, i.e., connecting the homeowner lateral connections, is still in progress.
Hayfield Road Pipe Project: Tree Removed, Vibration Monitors, No Parking Signs
by John Millikin
Tree – The additional maple tree (as discussed in the February 2020 Hayfield News on page 13) was recently cut down as planned. It was originally scheduled to be removed by mid-February so there may have been some confusion because this did not happen until the end of March—but it is indeed the same tree. The article said the tree was “near 7721 Hayfield Road” but the houses actually closest are 7711 and 7712 Hayfield Road.
Monitors – On April 1, three vibration monitors were deployed/installed near this same area. Garney (the construction company) will be working near the monitors early next week, i.e., about April 6 or so. Project Manager Dave Anglin has asked them to surround the monitors with safety fencing to try protecting against anyone interfering with their operation. The monitors sensing mechanism can be disrupted by interference and provide false readings. So, it is important that everyone stay away from these vibration monitors. These are installed as close as possible to the structures within the public right-of-way (ROW). The VDOT maintained ROW extends approximately 2 feet on the house side of the sidewalk.
Please Obey “No Parking” Signs – Near the same area (where the tree was removed), on April 1 a car was parked in the single northbound travel lane blocking traffic and not honoring the No Parking signs. Drivers were forced to use the southbound lane. Vehicles parked in such a manner pose safety risks and logistical challenges and are likely to be towed going forward. Please do not park in the travel lanes during the times that your section of Hayfield Road is clearly marked via orange cones as two-lanes. Thank you all for your cooperation.
Hayfield Road Pipe Project: March Updates
by John Millikin
March 6 – Roadway from the Pool to Broadmoor St.
After Garney moves beyond the Broadmoor Street intersection work from the pool up to Broadmoor Street will include:
- Continue the box culvert installation approximately 250 to 300 linear feet where the system changes over to the 48” pipe.
- At about the same time as the system goes to being pipe, Garney will resume extending the sanitary main and lateral connections.
- Begin restoring curb & gutter, driveway aprons, and sections of sidewalk.
Remove temporary millings and pave the roadway with a base course of asphalt on the west side of the median.
Pavement condition on the east side of the grassed median will be monitored but the hope is not to have to do anything on that east section of roadway until project’s end. Still, Fairfax County will monitor conditions and undertake actions, if necessary.
March 17 – Status of Staging at the Pool Parking Lot
The May 1 date is Fairfax County’s commitment to vacate the pool parking lot irrespective on progress in the roadway. Storage for the box culvert sections was likely the most demanding of space. No additional box sections are required to complete that portion of the new conduit system. The 48” pipe installation is expected to move along a bit more quickly, in general. As discussed, weather is one factor. Though Garney intends not to use the space allocated to this project in Hayfield Park, that remains a possibility, if necessary / required. Here is a picture of the 48” pipe staged at the Hayfield Pool parking lot.
March 18 – Truck Deliveries and Safety at Work Site.
Four truck deliveries were scheduled with pipe sections via tractor trailer flat-bed trucks on March 20, 21, 23 and 24. The manufacturer’s transport company was not able to make all deliveries in one day as originally hoped. Dave Anglin reports that one of the topics that came up at a March 18 progress meeting centered on the presence of children in the neighborhood since schools are closed. Please remember that this project involves heavy construction and the work area should be avoided by everyone to the extent possible. Certainly, on-lookers from a distance are no problem. Parents, please closely supervise younger children and remind your teen-age children that they should always stay away from the construction zones.
March 26 – Schedule and Vibrations. The project has been running pretty close to being on schedule. Despite multiple efforts coordinating and verifying with Dominion Energy in 2018 and 2019, this week, we encountered an electrical conduit in conflict with the box culvert elevation. We are trying to push Dominion to address quickly. But, Garney will need to return to sanitary work or return to the end of the road to grade the outfall and install wing walls.
There was some survey work at Telegraph Road recently and Dave believes that is a Fairfax County Department of Transportation project, i.e., not related to the Pipe Project.
Recently I asked about vibration monitoring. Dave Anglin says that task order is approved and is being coordinated with Garney on their next steps and their proposed work area. As soon as we know that schedule, our geotechnical firm will deploy the monitors.
March 27 – Direct Contact Phone Number/Driveway Access; Potholes; Curbs.
The contractor (Garney) posts signs about parking; be sure to read them. Concerning driveway access, Garney is and has been extremely courteous and accommodating to all people affected in the work area. They knock on doors and ensure citizens’ access to their driveways when needed. Superintendent Eldon Burns can be contacted directly via his cell phone at 304-579-7177 if any Hayfield Farm resident has an issue in the immediate work area.
Potholes are a constant challenge; Garney should be fixing potholes the week of March 30 to April 3.
Keep in mind that there has been a separate water line relocation project around the corner on Broadmoor which may be getting confused with the Hayfield Road Pipe Project. This is a separate project and is not connected in any way with the Hayfield Road Pipe Project. The contractor is different and their workers are not Garney workers.
Contractors are installing new curbs along the west side of Hayfield Road from the Hayfield Pool up to Broadmoor Road. Here is one picture.
March 30 – Concrete Apron
Garney planned to remove and pour new concrete aprons for all driveways between Hayfield Swim Club and Broadmoor Street starting Wednesday 4/1/20 on Hayfield Road. Once concrete aprons are poured, the resident needs to try and stay off for at least 4 days, not to damage the concrete. Dave Anglin recommended that Garney talk with the residents and then barricade the apron for those four days, if possible.
Hayfield Road Pipe Project: 1/24/20 (+1 Maple Tree)
by John Millikin
Yesterday I received an update from Project Manager Dave Anglin; unfortunately one more maple tree (near 7721 Hayfield Road) must be removed; this will occur sometime between January 23 and the middle of February. We know that in a $7,000,000 project that there will be unforeseen surprises like this one. I encourage everyone to read the justifications that Dave provides and to remember the overall significant benefits that this project brings to Hayfield Farm residents.
Here are the justifications that Dave Anglin sent on Wednesday January 22
“Attached are two pictures showing the circumstances regarding this (maple) tree. Below is a summary explanation with more details in the attached picture mark-ups.
The work is not just encroaching some into the critical root zone. With the work required at this location, the open excavation and required trench box will be well within the tree’s drip line. Add the additional space required to prune the roots and this is up to the tree trunk/root crown. So, root pruning will sever the tree’s root system greater than 40 percent. This poses a severe risk that this size tree will not survive the work in the long run.
Additional risks, beyond/addition to the survivability question:
- Immediate – this tree is near an area where problem soils started slumping/collapsing into and ground water was encountered in the open excavation. So, if the supporting soils slough, this poses a risk to project personnel and near-by others/property of immediate tree collapse.
- Long-term – large structural roots will be cut on virtually half the tree. Short of the tree dying, severing major structural supporting roots risks the tree falling in the future during wind events and/or during very wet weather.
Given the design, I now believe this was always unavoidable. I just wish we had foreseen so the information could have been shared earlier.”
Here is the text in the first picture:
“Painted white line marks approximate location of the excavation cut. Another 6″ of excavation is required to accommodate the trench box to support the excavation sides. The root pruning would then be located at least another 18″+ closer to the tree creating another 6″ cut into the soil. This would put the root pruning inside the two stakes on the left above and cutting through the tree’s root crown.”
Here is the text in the second (close-up) picture:
“Painted white line marks approximate location of the excavation cut required for the necessary work. Another 6″ of excavation – beyond the white line – is required to accommodate the trench box to support the excavation sides. The root pruning would then be located at least another 18″+ closer to the tree. The pruning creates another 6″ cut into the soil. This would put the root pruning inside the two nearest stakes supporting the orange fence – virtually into the tree’s root crown.”
Given the impact on the neighborhood, this page is dedicated to updates and information related to the Hayfield Road Pipe Conveyance Project, also known as the Stormwater Project and Storm Drain Project.
Background Information:
The goal of the project is to improve stormwater management performance and address area flooding. The project began in 2014 and will continue until winter 2018. Currently there are 45 houses at risk during a major rain or flood event, primarily because of the local large parking lots surrounding the neighborhood. Two houses have been purchased by the County and demolished due to flood damage, but a new 60″ pipe will help to divide the amount of water coming into Hayfield and hopefully eliminate the flooding problem. Here is a sample of the letter that was sent out in 2014 describing the project, along with contact information if you have more questions. If you really want to dig deep into the project, here is the overview about the Hayfield Road Pipe Conveyance System. The storm drainage system is a network of structures, channels and underground pipes that carry stormwater to ponds, lakes, streams and rivers. They are maintained by VDOT and Fairfax County.
The best way to hear updates in-person is at a General Meeting when this is on the agenda. We will continue to provide the most updated presentation from the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services using the link that is embedded in the image to the right. Stay tuned!
Click here to access all of the archived documents saved to date about the project.
If you feel that there is a storm drainage problem, report those issues using this form.
