Virginia Drive Green Infrastructure

Project Location

Virginia Drive is a dead-end, steep street with no drainage. Home to many residents in Lincoln Borough, this street became overwhelmed during storm events. Stormwater flowed down the street at high velocities and eroded a natural area at the bottom of the road, delivering sediment pollution to Coursin Run. Finally, a gravel turnaround showed signs of erosion and needed improvements to continue to function for mail and utility vehicles.  

Description of Work  

Storm drains with water quality inserts were installed along the sides of the road. A rip rap apron stabilized the eroded gully to Coursin Run. A permeable paver turnaround was also installed to accept low flows during storms. These efforts corrected severe erosion occurring on the road and into Coursin Run, provided safer road conditions during storm events, and reduced damage and maintenance needs on Virginia Drive.  

Description of Key Practice

The use of permeable pavers improved infiltration for the site and creates a resilient system with multiple practices improving drainage and reducing erosion. The pavers have an interlocking block system that sits on a bed of stone and stabilization fabric. The low flow from the storm drain is carried through a perforated pipe under the pavers to allow maximum infiltration into the permeable paver bed.

The pavers themselves allow for stormwater to directly infiltrate onto the site. The pavers used on this site are easier to maintain as they do not need to be vacuumed to improve infiltration capacity. Permeable pavers allowed the site to remain a turnaround for local residents and an area for additional strormwater management.