AlexRenew | ALXnow

Alexandria to unveil improvements at Hooffs Run Interceptor and African American Heritage Park

Published June 2, 2025 at 12:00PM

The Hooffs Run Interceptor is complete (Via AlexRenew)

It took three years to finish, and on Saturday (June 7), Alexandria will officially recognize the completion of the Hooffs Run Interceptor and a rejuvenated African American Heritage Park.

The large project at 500 Holland Lane transports millions of gallons of raw sewage for processing at AlexRenew, and included a “full-scale restoration of the area surrounding Hooffs Run, including enhancements to the riparian buffer, the establishment of native trees and plants, and the creation of new wildlife habitats,” according to the city.

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With Hooffs Run Interceptor complete, Alexandria to reopen African American Heritage Park

By James Cullum

Published May 13, 2025 at 2:45PM

The Hooffs Run Interceptor is complete (Via AlexRenew)

After three years of construction, Alexandria will officially unveil the Hooffs Run Interceptor and reopen African American Heritage Park next month.

The large project to reduce flooding from millions of gallons of sewage and transport it for processing by AlexRenew also meant a fully restored Hooffs Run. The interceptor went into service at the end of 2024.

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ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published April 25, 2025 at 3:30PM

NVTA BRT Action Plan - Potential Network (via NVTA)

Welcome to Friday’s weekly roundup of our top stories.

With ALXnow, it’s easy to catch up on the latest news in Alexandria. This week, we focused on coverage of our local, state, and federal governments. We also reported a lot of crime, including a homicide in the city’s West End.

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AlexRenew proposes 5% rate hike for FY2026, 5.7% for FY2027

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 23, 2025 at 7:32PM

AlexRenew Proposes Fiscal Year 2026 Budget and Two-Year Rate Adjustment (via AlexRenew)

AlexRenew is proposing a $258.3 million budget for fiscal year 2026, along with a two-year rate adjustment to fund ongoing infrastructure investments, including the RiverRenew program.

The wastewater treatment authority plans a 5.0% rate increase beginning July 1, 2025, followed by a 5.7% increase starting July 1, 2026. For the average residential customer using 4,000 gallons of water monthly, this translates to approximately $2.76 more per month in the first year and an additional $3.31 per month in the second year.

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Council to consider moving dozens of city staff to AlexRenew headquarters

By James Cullum

Published June 25, 2024 at 3:30PM

AlexRenew headquarters (via Alexandria Renew Enterprises/Facebook)

City Council will consider a lease agreement tonight to move a portion of the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services to a 5,600-square-foot office space at AlexRenew Headquarters.

The city’s wastewater authority at 1800 Limerick Street finished construction of its headquarters in 2016, and was designed for expansion on the fifth floor.

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Alexandria to declare local holiday for boring machine

By Vernon Miles

Published March 27, 2024 at 10:55AM

Hazel, the tunnel boring machine for AlexRenew's RiverRenew Tunnel Project, is named after environmental activist Hazel Johnson. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Anyone who goes to City Council meetings knows there’s a long list of proclamations and recognition of various holidays, but there’s a new one on the docket for next week: Hazel the Tunnel Boring Machine Day.

A proclamation scheduled for the meeting on Tuesday, April 2, recognizes April 13 as a local celebration of the machine that did the heavy lifting for RiverRenew project.

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Milestone reached with 2.2-mile underground sewer tunnel completion in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published March 15, 2024 at 11:00AM

Hazel, the tunnel-boring machine, has completed the 2.2-mile RiverRenew tunnel through Old Town (via AlexRenew)

After 16 months of digging, Hazel the tunnel-boring machine can rest.

Alexandria’s massive RiverRenew Tunnel Program reached a critical milestone on Wednesday with the completion of a 2.2-mile underground tunnel that will divert millions of gallons of raw sewage from flowing into the Potomac River every year.

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Alexandria won’t meet 2025 RiverRenew Tunnel Program deadline and needs another year

By James Cullum

Published January 5, 2024 at 9:30AM | Updated January 6, 2024 at 3:41AM

A Dec. 21 AlexRenew graphic showing progress in its massive RiverRenew tunnel-boring project (via Facebook)

(Updated at 1 p.m.) Alexandria won’t meet its state-mandated July 2025 deadline to complete its massive RiverRenew Tunnel Program, and two local members of the Virginia General Assembly will introduce bills this month extending the deadline by a year.

Virginia Senator Adam Ebbin (D-30) and Delegate David Bulova (D-11) are planning to introduce bills extending AlexRenew’s deadline to July 2026.

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Alexandria utility launching new bill assistance program early next year

By Vernon Miles

Published December 21, 2023 at 9:55AM

AlexRenew headquarters (via Alexandria Renew Enterprises/Facebook)

Alexandrians struggling to pay their sewer bill might have some relief next year.

AlexRenew, the city’s wastewater authority, said in a release it’s launching a charity-funded emergency bill assistance program called Lifeline Emergency Assistance Program (LEAP).

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Alexandria dedicates massive RiverRenew Tunnel Boring Project

By James Cullum

Published July 14, 2022 at 2:15PM | Updated July 14, 2022 at 3:47PM

Mayor Justin Wilson christens Hazel, the tunnel boring machine for AlexRenew's RiverRenew Tunnel Project, July 14, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

It moves at a snail’s pace, but Alexandria’s tunnel boring machine is ready to drill through 100-foot-deep soil to prevent millions of gallons of combined sewage from flowing into the Potomac River, Hooffs Run, and Hunting Creek.

On Thursday, Alexandria’s leaders were on-hand for the unveiling and dedication of AlexRenew’s RiverRenew Tunnel Project. The $454.4 million project is the largest infrastructure project in the city’s history, and will result in a 12-foot-wide, two-mile-long waterfront tunnel, which will divert approximately 120 million gallons of sewage every year.

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Alexandria’s massive RiverRenew Tunnel Project to be dedicated/unveiled next week

By James Cullum

Published July 6, 2022 at 2:15PM

Alexandria leaders will be on-hand on Thursday, July 14, for the unveiling and dedication of AlexRenew’s RiverRenew Tunnel Project.

The $454.4 million project will replace Old Town’s 19th century combined sewer system with a tunnel system, sewer infrastructure and improvements to AlexRenew’s wastewater treatment plant — all to prevent 130 million gallons of combined sewage from flowing from four outfalls into the Potomac River every year.