Arlington approves funds for water infrastructure upgrade

The Arlington County Board in the US has approved $41m in funding for the improvement of water infrastructure, as part of its broader $2.4bn, ten-year capital improvement programme (CIP).

As part of the approval, the board gave its nod to $6.5m in contracts for a new water main project on Williamsburg Boulevard and a sewer pipe upgrade at the intersection of Lee Highway and John Marshall Drive.

US contractor Martin & Gass received a $5.6m contract to implement the Williamsburg Boulevard Water Supply Main project, which will involve the construction of a 36in water main to provide water supply for Minor Hill.

The project is to be completed by September 2013 and is the second phase of a larger project to connect the Ethan Allen pump station to the Minor Hill Reservoir. The new phase of the project will begin in December 2012.

About $900,000 of the approved funds will be directed towards sewer improvements at John Marshall Drive and Lee Highway project scheduled to begin in September 2012.

County Board Chair Mary Hynes said that it is necessary to make ongoing, prudent investments in the infrastructure as the County continues to grow and age.

"The upgrades that the board approved today will help improve the operations of our essential water and sewage systems, protect against flooding and allow us to continue delivering first-class services to our residents," added Hynes.

The Arlington County Board added that the CIP will help strike a balance between maintaining existing infrastructure and making strategic investments to meet the needs of growing community.