The county has obtained all necessary permits, and construction will begin in April 2026. Construction duration is anticipated to be about one year. Not all this time will be active construction, but will include survey, tree clearing, construction, restoration planting and clean up. The Pink Trail will be closed while active construction is underway to ensure the safety of the community members. Two “pardon our dust” meetings are planned with the community: a virtual meeting on April 8 in the evening, and an in-person meeting at the project site on the afternoon of April 11. Meeting information is being sent to community members via email and will be shared in the Reston Association (RA) newsletter. Project activities are being closely coordinated with the community, RA, and the Hunter Mill District Supervisor’s Office. In addition to federal, and county permits, the project was approved by the RA Design Review Board in March 2024.
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 Woodbrock 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.