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Richmond awards $8.3 million contract for Forest Hill sewer phase 3

Richmond awards $8.3 million contract for Forest Hill sewer phase 3

Built World Richmond, VA local

Contract runs from September 2026 to September 2027, extending a project that began after a road collapse in 2023.

3 days ago: Phase 3 contract takes effect

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

Richmond’s Department of Public Utilities has signed an $8.3 million contract with Tidewater Utility Construction to replace sewer laterals along Forest Hill Avenue. This is the third phase of a multi-year project to fix aging sewer lines that collapsed under the road in 2023.

The work will close one lane of Forest Hill Avenue through September 2027, adding to traffic and business disruptions residents have already endured. The contract term is 365 days from notice to proceed, but weather and utility conflicts could stretch it.

Why it matters

Residents and businesses on Forest Hill Avenue face another year of one-lane traffic and construction noise as the city replaces aging sewer lines.

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Key Indicators

$8.3M
Phase 3 contract value
Amount the city will pay Tidewater Utility Construction for sewer lateral replacement.
365
Contract term
Days allowed from notice to proceed to complete the work.
3
Total project phases
Phase 1 completed in 2024, Phase 2 ongoing, Phase 3 now under contract.

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People Involved

Organizations Involved

Timeline

2023 September 2026

4 events Latest: 3 days ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date
  1. Phase 3 contract takes effect

    Latest Contract

    City's $8.3 million contract with Tidewater Utility Construction for the third phase of sewer replacement begins, with a term through September 2027.

  2. Phase 2 lateral replacement begins

    Construction

    Crews opened the road again to replace sewer laterals running to adjoining businesses, reducing Forest Hill to one lane through November.

  3. Phase 1 sewer replacement completed

    Construction

    The eastbound lanes of Forest Hill Avenue were rebuilt and opened after the initial phase of sewer replacement.

  4. Sewer line collapse sinks Forest Hill Avenue

    Infrastructure failure

    A collapsed sanitary sewer line caused part of Forest Hill Avenue to cave in. In August 2025 the 4th District council member described it as happening two years earlier; no exact date has been published.

Scenarios

1

Phase 3 completes on schedule, Forest Hill fully reopened by fall 2027

Likely Resolves by Sep 24, 2027

Discussed by: City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (implicit in contract terms)

Weather cooperates, no major utility conflicts arise, and Tidewater finishes the lateral replacements within the 365-day contract period. The road returns to normal two-way traffic by late September 2027, matching the contract end date.

2

Phase 3 delayed, contract amended

Possible Resolves by Oct 1, 2027

Discussed by: Local media and contractors familiar with utility work

Unexpected buried utilities, wet weather, or supply issues push the work past the initial term. The city would issue a change order or amend the contract to extend the timeline, keeping the lane closure into late 2027 or 2028.

3

Cost overruns trigger additional city funding

Unlikely Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: City budgeting analysts and procurement watchdogs

Unexpected ground conditions or engineering changes push the project over the $8.3 million contract value. The city would need to approve a supplemental appropriation or issue a change order, increasing the total cost.

Sources

(3)

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