Project Addressing Flooding Causes W&OD Trail Detour In Falls Church

FALLS CHURCH, VA — Pedestrians and bicyclists will be faced with a detour route on the Washington and Old Dominion Trail for about a month in the City of Falls Church.

The city government announced maintenance and improvement work will happen on a portion of the trail at Trammel Branch, a stream feeding into Four Mile Run. From Aug. 7 to Sept. 5, weekday closures are planned on the trail at Trammel Branch, which is just west of Little Falls Road and N. Four Mile Run Drive.

Closures will happen Mondays through Fridays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. A detour route is in place for trail users to continue on the W&OD Trail.

The city's project intends to address drainage and reduce the likelihood of flooding near Trammel Branch. Trammel Branch is located near the northern central city limit and drains into Four Mile Run. According to the city, drainage problems in the areas of W. Columbia Street and Shadow Walk Drive have resulted in homes flooding. The drainage problem was identified as an undersized pipe under the W&OD trail that causes water to back up to these areas.

The first of two new pipes were installed in June 2021 during the dual trail conversion on a portion of the W&OD Trail in Falls Church. The second phase of construction underway involves replacing the failing culvert with 500 feet of concrete box culvert at the junction with Four Mile Run. Construction is expected to finish in December 2023.