The Reston Association Design Review Board approved the 65% plan for the project in March 2024. Staff have reviewed the 95% plan and expect the final design to be completed in Spring 2025. A virtual community meeting was held on March 26, 2025 to update the community on the project plan and schedule. The meeting was attended by members of the community, Supervisor Alcorn and staff from Reston Association and the County. Staff will work with the Reston Association and the community schedule construction which should begin by Fall 2025.
The existing conditions of Piney Run Tributary at Lamplighter Way. Fairfax County photo.
Project Background
This project was identified in the Difficult Run Watershed Management Plan for stream restoration and stabilization activities and was nominated by the Reston Association. It was placed in the county's Fiscal Year 2020 work plan due to severe erosion and exposed sanitary sewer lines.
Project Description
The project will restore about 1,200 linear feet of natural stream channel. The stream channel exhibits severely eroded and over-widened banks, and there is the potential for further bed and bank instability. Two sanitary sewer lines have been exposed by the erosion. This project is part of larger efforts to restore many of Fairfax County’s degraded streams while improving overall water quality and the condition of the Chesapeake Bay.
The primary goals of the restoration are:
Stabilize the channel and prevent future erosion and degradation along the stream.
Improve water quality through the removal of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous) and sediment.
Create a healthy ecosystem by restoring the channel and installing native trees and herbaceous plants.
Protect the sanitary sewer infrastructure.
Project Location
The project is located on Reston Association Property between Lamplighter Way and Woodbrook Lane and extends downstream to the Piney Run stream.
The project area is shown in blue.
Project Benefits
The environmental benefits of the project are:
Improved water quality
Reduced erosion
Infrastructure protection
Improved vegetative buffer quality
Timeline
Design is scheduled to be completed Spring 2025. Construction activity is expected to begin in Fall 2025.
What to Expect
Delivery and distribution of the final plan and a virtual community meeting in Spring 2025.
Project Cost and Funding Source
Design of the Piney Run Tributary at Lamplighter Way stream restoration project is funded for $464,000. Construction funding is dependent upon future budget availability and allocations. Stormwater projects are funded through the county Stormwater Service District.
For more information please email Project Manager Ram Ghimire, Stormwater Planning Division, Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, or call 703-324-7097, TTY 711.