City seeks feedback on developing Taylor Run infrastructure plans

Downstream photo of Taylor Run from the infrastructure project’s photo log, in an area near an exposed sanitary sewer manhole (via City of Alexandria)

Taylor Run project location map (via City of Alexandria)

Taylor Run project areas one and two (via City of Alexandria)

Taylor Run project areas three and four (via City of Alexandria)

Proposed changes at area one of the Taylor Run infrastructure project (via City of Alexandria)

Proposed changes at area two of the Taylor Run infrastructure project (via City of Alexandria)

Proposed changes at area three of the Taylor Run infrastructure project (via City of Alexandria)

Proposed changes at area four of the Taylor Run infrastructure project (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria residents have until next Friday to submit feedback on the city’s developing Taylor Run Infrastructure Stabilization Project plans.

Currently at 30% design completion, the project is focused on “protecting critical, at-risk stormwater and sanitary sewer infrastructure, through a targeted, minimal intervention approach,” according to a city announcement. The full design is anticipated to be complete by September 2026, with construction commencing one month later.

Feedback can be submitted through this online form.

The $2.1 million project is divided into four areas across roughly 600 linear, noncontinuous feet, according to city documents. A recent 30% design report details the following tasks.

Upstream Stormwater Outfall: Currently in disrepair, surrounding stream banks are actively eroding, and outfall discharges into an undersized plunge pool causing excessive bed scour.

Sanitary Sewer Crossing 1 and Stormwater Outfall: Sanitary sewer crossing is at-risk of structural damage, adjacent stormwater outfall in deteriorating, contributing to eroding stream bed and banks.

Exposed Sanitary Sewer Manhole: Exposed sanitary sewer manhole is exposed and vulnerable to damage from storm flows or debris.

Sanitary Sewer Crossing 2 and Retaining Wall: The roots of a large Red Maple tree are exposed putting the tree at risk of falling, stream bank and bed erosion has exposed an existing sanitary sewer crossing risking structural damage, and a nearby retaining wall is failing due to insufficient embedment depth.

The city is proposing to resolve these issues by installing new rock facades and rock packing, concrete encasements, boulder weirs and gravity walls, as well as redesigned plunge pools and grading and seeding.

Project plans also call for the removal of 43 trees across the area, 17 of which are deemed dead, according to a city presentation. Afterward, some 150 native trees are expected to be planted as replacement, with proposed mulch and deck matting to protect tree roots.

This was planned in accordance with a “minimal disturbance” approach set by Consensus Building Group and approved by City Council. The developing design is informed by recommendations in the Stream Health Improvement Community Collaboration, which the city developed in 2022 and 2023.

The city presented its 30% design plans during a Nov. 13 project meeting and webinar. These plans and more informational materials about the project can be viewed on its city webpage.

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