Underground blasting for water project to temporarily close some areas in Town of Occoquan

Fairfax Water Occoquan River Crossing Project
Fairfax Water is in the process of installing new water transmission mains underneath the Occoquan River. A collaboration between Fairfax Water, the Prince William County Service Authority (PWCSA), and Virginia American Water, this project and other improvements will increase drinking water transmission capacity and maintain system reliability for existing and future PWCSA customers in eastern Prince William County.

The construction of the tunnel under the Occoquan River will involve occasional underground blasting procedures starting this month, April, and projected to end in September. Such blasting will consist of a single, one-second blast every other day, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. No blasting will take place on Sundays.

When blasting is scheduled, there will be a temporary 30-minute closure of the pedestrian footbridge, River Mill Park, the Mill Street cul-de-sac, and the access road on the north side of the river. There will also be audible air horn signals 5 minutes and 1 minute before any blasts and an all-clear signal after. It is not expected that anyone will feel any vibrations from the blasting.

Fairfax Water is coordinating with the town to avoid closures during various town events and other scheduled activities. For more information on the project and related activities, go to https://www.pwcsa.org/Occoquan-River-Crossing