Virginia Senator Mark Warner stopped in Harrisonburg Tuesday, April 11, 2023 to deliver a check for one million dollars in federal funding to update water infrastructure in the city. WMRA’s Bridget Manley reports.
Senator Warner’s stop in Harrisonburg was part of a two-day statewide tour to meet with locally elected leaders to discuss infrastructure needs and deliver funding allocated from the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Bill.
The money will be used to replace and expand a potable water pipe in the western portion of the city, and retire pipe that was constructed in the 1890’s.
The water pipe, which spans Route 33 West through Hinton, has seen its fair share of problems. City officials confirmed that the water line in question has broken multiple times in the past, including twice Monday morning, with city officials asking those in the affected area to conserve water until it was repaired.
The city plans to stop using the century-old line that was laid by pick-and-shovel, and create a new water line utilizing fresh water from the Dry River, which runs southeast along Route 33.
Public Utilities Director Mike Collins said that the new line will be sustainable and the water quality will be “pristine.”
Warner said that the water line was part of a larger push by federal officials to update infrastructure across the US.
SEN. MARK WARNER: For a long time, I think we have under-invested in our infrastructure, and some of the things, when it comes to water lines, you know, that’s not very sexy, but when these water lines get this old, the potential for enormous degradation and harm that could come about…by having these federal dollars, that are oftentimes matched by state and local dollars, it’s really important.
Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed and the members of city council were also on hand to discuss infrastructure needs and accept the check from Warner.
For WMRA News, I’m Bridget Manley.
