Observation Road Relocation

About the Project

Observation Road at Piper Lane is impassable several times per year due to flooding from adjacent Broad Run. When flooded, landside access to the west side of the airfield is restricted, causing tenants and Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) staff to access the west side by driving through the airfield from an open gate. It can take upwards of 48 hours for the floodwaters to recede. The project includes relocating a portion of Observation Road so that it is above the 100-year floodplain (refer to Figure 1-1), which will significantly reduce flooding impacts and will allow for the future redevelopment of the site. The work will also prepare the West Corporate Development site located on the northwest corner of Manassas Regional Airport.


Figure 1-1: Existing Floodplain

The project will include the construction of a perimeter retaining wall to raise the relocated road and portions of the site that are prone to flooding. A new section of Airport-maintained Observation Road will be constructed from the existing portion of Observation Road that runs along the west perimeter of the airfield to a point adjacent to the existing Airport gate southwest of the Dulles Aviation hangar. In addition, a stormwater detention pond and a stormwater system will be completed with the anticipation of future redevelopment of the Dulles Aviation site. See Figure 1-2 for a depiction of the road relocation.


Figure 1-2: Proposed Observation Road Relocation


Temporary Road Access to ATCT and T-Hangars


Temporary Tie-Down Aircraft Removal - West Apron


Project Progress


Temporary Pond and road installation are approximately 50% complete.


Storm drain, water, and sewer are approximately 90% complete.


Demo of existing parking lot is 100% complete, and demo of existing buildings is 98% complete.


Project Schedule

Below is an estimated project schedule from preliminary design through the start of construction.

Description Date
Construction complete TBD
A stop work order has been issued for the project beginning August 30, 2024. Work will resume once utility relocation has taken place. August 30, 2024
Utility cut over dates with partial road closure Week of July 29, 2024
Observation Road detour begins February 26, 2024
Construction notice to proceed (NTP) January 8, 2024
Bid opening July 14, 2023
Bid advertisement May 2023
City site plan approval April 2023
Complete final design October 2022
Begin final design December 2020
CLOMR approval from FEMA December 2020
Conditional letter of map revision (CLOMR) submittal to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) July 2020
Preliminary (50%) design completed June 2020
Preliminary design kick-off November 2019