ATCS partnered with Prince William County to design and deliver the Old Carolina Road Sidewalk project, which was completed in August 2023. This 700-foot asphalt sidewalk along the east side of Old Carolina Road created a critical pedestrian link between existing infrastructure and the Somerset Crossing Subdivision trail network. The $505,000 construction project addressed a significant connectivity gap while enhancing pedestrian safety in the Haymarket community.
From project initiation in January 2020 through construction in 2021, ATCS provided comprehensive services, including preliminary and final design, environmental documentation, permitting, and construction support. With a professional services budget of $169,056, the team completed all design and environmental work under budget while delivering a high-quality infrastructure solution. Working within a constrained corridor, the team designed a 6-foot wide asphalt sidewalk with associated roadway improvements to provide safe, accessible connections between residential areas and community amenities.
Navigating Complex Site Constraints Through Innovative Design
The Old Carolina Road corridor presented multiple technical challenges requiring specialized engineering solutions:
- Preservation Area and Floodplain Management: The limited right-of-way included existing preservation areas and floodplain boundaries that constrained the available design footprint. ATCS developed a solution utilizing nonstandard open-back drainage inlets that maintained an open ditch section behind the proposed curb and gutter. This innovative approach minimized utility relocations and floodplain impacts while meeting functional requirements.
- Topographic Challenges: To achieve ADA-compliant accessibility in an area with significant elevation changes, ATCS developed precise grading solutions that worked within the existing terrain. These design refinements enabled safe pedestrian movement without encroaching on environmentally sensitive areas.
- Environmental Coordination: ATCS successfully navigated a complex environmental approval process, preparing a Categorical Exclusion NEPA document supported by comprehensive studies. The team conducted threatened and endangered species clearances with USFWS, hazardous materials investigations, wetland delineations, and socioeconomic analysis for environmental justice populations. ATCS also prepared Joint Permit Application documentation for unavoidable impacts to waters of the U.S. and created a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) for construction.
Stakeholder Engagement and Regulatory Compliance
The project required strategic coordination across multiple stakeholders:
- VDOT Coordination: ATCS worked closely with VDOT throughout the design and approval process, preparing all required environmental forms and documentation, including VDOT Forms EQ-429, EQ-121, and EQ-555. This coordination streamlined the review process and facilitated timely project advancement.
- Community Coordination: The sidewalk alignment crossed property owned by a local HOA, requiring careful coordination to address community concerns while meeting project objectives. ATCS’ engagement process ensured that the final design balanced engineering requirements with neighborhood preferences.
- Permitting and Compliance: The team managed all aspects of environmental permitting, including NPDES compliance and Joint Permit Application preparation for impacts to waters of the U.S. This comprehensive approach to regulatory requirements kept the project on schedule while ensuring all environmental protections were implemented correctly.
Delivering Community Benefits Through Infrastructure Investment
The completed Old Carolina Road Sidewalk has significantly enhanced the pedestrian network in Haymarket, providing a safe connection to community resources and outdoor recreation areas. By addressing this critical gap in the County’s pedestrian infrastructure, the project supports Prince William County’s multimodal transportation goals while improving the quality of life for area residents.
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