Dewberry, a privately held professional services firm, has announced the completion of the latest phase of the James River Crossing (JRX) design-build project. Dewberry and Garney Construction have been collaborating on the project since 2020; planning, designing, permitting, and constructing the new large diameter high-density polyethylene (HDPE) force main under the James River. The new force main will convey wastewater across the James River from Newport News to Suffolk, Virginia. This project supports Hampton Roads Sanitation District’s (HRSD) Sustainable Water Initiative for Tomorrow (SWIFT) program, reducing nutrient loading to the Chesapeake Bay, replenishing the Potomac Aquifer, and combating sea level rise through reduction of ground subsidence throughout the region.
Serving as the lead engineer for the project, Dewberry has been responsible for the engineering analysis of the force main installation while working closely with key engineering partners. In May 2024, a major milestone was reached as the installation of over 5,700 linear feet (LF) of 42-inch dimension ratio (DR) 11 HDPE was completed using horizontal directional drilling (HDD). The installation was necessary to cross under the Newport News shipping channel without any disturbance. This installation is the single longest HDPE pipe installation of this diameter worldwide using HDD. The next phase of the project will include a marine open cut installation for the remaining 3.5 miles.
“This project represents a momentous opportunity for our team to aid HRSD and support their SWIFT program,” says Dewberry Senior Associate and Senior Project Manager Paul Longo, PE, Assoc. DBIA. “We are proud of the milestones this design-build team has achieved so far, and we look forward to completing the rest of the project together.”
