Charlottesville, VA… March 20, 2025… The Rivanna Water & Sewer Authority is pleased to announce that the South Rivanna River Crossing Pipeline Project has commenced. The project will add a second drinking water distribution pipe under the river to increase the capacity, redundancy, and resiliency of our community’s drinking water network.
The South Rivanna River Crossing Pipeline Project will directly connect the South Rivanna Water Treatment Plant to a water pipe near the intersection of Route 29 and Polo Grounds Road. Residents may notice heavy equipment operating within the vicinity.
A unique challenge of the project is burying a section of pipe under the Rivanna River. To minimize environmental impacts, a trenchless construction method known as Horizontal Directional Drilling will be used. To install the pipe, a clearing will occur on each side of the river just west of Route 29.
The project was awarded to Faulconer Construction Company of Charlottesville in September. The project’s total cost is $5.9 million. It is expected to be completed in January 2027.