Weather Damages Soapstone Directly Over RA Underpass

Now that the ice and snow of the last few weeks have melted, the usual potholes and other road damage can be seen on Reston streets.

A reader pointed out that Soapstone Drive between Ridge Heights Road and South Lakes Drive has a large bump in the road. The bump goes directly over an underpass on Reston Association paths.

The Virginia Department of Transportation is aware of the issue and has put a “bump” sign to alert drivers.

A VDOT rep said staff is closely monitoring and, since the bump is over a pedestrian underpass, the bridge and infrastructure sections are also inspecting the structure.

Larry Butler, RA’s Senior Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Resources, said he is aware of the issue and that that RA has not seen structural problems with the underpasses in his more than 30 years with the association.

“We do not maintain roads, so I can’t comment on the challenges of those over underpasses or many of the other culverts below roads for drainage etc.,” he said. “The underpasses are typically 12-inch thick concrete boxes, and other than some minor seepage in the box or at the wing walls outside the underpasses we have never had structural problems with any of them.”