In a ceremony that paid homage to HRSD’s 75 years of environmental protection and its commitment to infrastructure renewal, Congressman Robert C. Scott and Hampton Mayor George Wallace joined representatives of the regional wastewater utility and its project partners to break ground on Monday, May 16, for a new pump station at 515 Bridge Street in Hampton.
Molly Joseph Ward, Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources, whose grandfather was an HRSD Commissioner; Ann DarlingTormey, the daughter of J. S. Darling II, who led efforts to create HRSD; and current HRSD Commissioner Susan Rotkis along with her children, Theresa and Luke DeConcini, were among those wielding shovels during the 11:00 a.m. ceremony.
The new structure, to be built by MEB General Contractors, was designed by HDR to blend into the neighborhood. This pump station will replace one built in the 1940s at 4701 Victoria Boulevard. The $14 million project will improve system operation, increase capacity and enhance HRSD’s ability to protect public health and the environment for decades to come. The project is part of HRSD’s $1.5 billion 10-year Capital Improvement Program required to meet environmental mandates and ensure future generations will inherit clean waterways.
The ceremony also marked Infrastructure Week 2016 and called attention to the importance of infrastructure renewal. “HRSD’s investment in infrastructure is great for future generations, but it is also great for today’s,” said HRSD General Manager Ted Henifin. “Each $1 million invested in an infrastructure project supports 16 jobs. The indirect impact is even greater as the payroll is spent in our local economy.”
