ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Nearly 150 feet underground, the City of Alexandria is tunneling toward a more environmentally friendly future. The key to that future is 360-ton tunnel-boring machine, affectionately named Hazel.
Hazel has not seen the light of day since November 2022. Over the last 16 months, Hazel and her highly skilled crews have been carefully constructing a 2.2-mile tunnel under Old Town Alexandria and the Potomac River. This tunnel, left in her wake, will prevent millions of gallons of combined sewage from polluting the region’s waterways.
Named after environmental activist Hazel Johnson, the machine's goal is to solve one of Alexandria’s biggest environmental issues since the city was built.
“When it rains, the main pipes fills with both rainwater and sewage causing overflows of harmful bacteria and pollution to the Potomac River and its tributaries,” said Justin Carl, a project manager for Alexandria’s wastewater utility AlexRenew.
On Wednesday, Hazel “broke through” a 100-foot-deep shaft immediately south of Oronoco Bay. This shaft will collect combined sewage overflows from an existing outfall and direct these flows to AlexRenew through the new 12-foot-wide, 100-foot-deep tunnel. The tunnel largely follows Alexandria’s waterfront before taking a sharp easterly bend in Jones Point Park, and then it’s a relatively straight shot back to AlexRenew below Church Street. This milestone signifies a crucial connection point, as it marks the integration of AlexRenew’s wastewater plant with all four of Alexandria’s combined sewer outfalls that date back to the 1860s.
“The collective efforts of our team to achieve this momentous milestone are nothing short of awe-inspiring. Their dedication and perseverance pave the way for a brighter future for the Potomac River and its surrounding communities,” Carl said.
But the ambitious project isn't done yet. Additional work includes the completion of a smaller sewer line along Hooffs Run, fitting out the massive drop shafts, and constructing a 12-story underground pumping station at AlexRenew. Work is anticipated to last through 2025.
“While Hazel is just a machine, she has embodied the heart and grit of our team, and like her namesake, has set a foundation for a healthier environment for our community, wildlife, and future generations,” Carl said.
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