Updates

Recent Park Updates

On 11 July, the VA ARNG, 276th Engineering (Combat) Battalion's first heavy construction equipment (2 D7 Dozers, 2 Graders, and 1 HYEX) arrived at 3 PM and were unloaded into the Civil War Park Construction site. Downloading went smoothly without any damage to the road and without any tracked vehicles ever actually touching the Cul-de-sac road . Vehicles were unloaded from trailers directly into the prepared construction entrance. After 150 years, construction of a park in Stafford to commemorate the encampments of 1862-1863 is immanent. First earth moving occurred that afternoon and consisted of some very basic operations to allow more space to maneuver in additional equipment before the main force arrived

Equipment continued to roll into the Park site on 12 July including 2 more D7 Dozers, a 1x 5 CY Loader, 1x 2.5 Loader, 1 HMEE and 1 Skid Steer. A fuel tank truck also deployed and fueled these vehicles and others delivered earlier and used to clear the limits of disturbance of the road near the SE entrance to the construction site. At one time vehicles were lined up a quarter mile from the cul-de-sac!

Two Guard dozers began around 2PM to clear to the limits of disturbance at the Mt. Hope Church entrance road, and completed rough clearing of those limits for approximately 500 feet, just short of the power line. This provides maneuver room for incoming soldiers and equipment for the main effort which deployed into the site on the 17th.

The Guard continues to do a terrific and careful job on unloading, not a scratch on Sona Homes road, no tracked vehicle has touched it and the large flatbeds are removed from the site soon after unloading.--- a high emphasis item for CPT David Baber, the on scene commander for operations.

Stafford County has arranged for the provision of two porta-potties on the sites and representatives of the Kruckenberg Company doing the E&S work were on hand. Chainsaws purchased by the FSCWS at Guard Request to assist in this effort have been delivered. Cathy Riddle and Public Information staff visited on 12 July, and SONA homes graciously agreed to holding the media day event (22 July) right at the Cul-de-Sac where participants will be able to look directly into the site. All the above a true Guard-County-FSCWS team effort.

Great progress made on 13 July with the clearing. Clearing operations are now up to and across the power line --- estimated 1000 linear feet in by 50 foot wide on average. The speed with which this clearing has progressed is amazing. Next steps involve clearing and disposing of debris now neatly stacked on the sides of the road clearing limits. Operations also included the loading and transport of several dozers over to the SW or Landfill entrance. Great cooperation from Andrew Mikel and the landfill staff on this effort. Both Jeff Goldhardt, and Brenda Duckworth have been on site as well as VA ARNG environmental officer. No issues.

As vehicles were being loaded inside the Mt. Hope Church Road construction site, a significant thunderstorm came up requiring the use of other dozers to literally pull the trucks and their cargo out of the area. The pictures above show the extent of progress, and increasing level of work. These soldiers obviously love what they do, and all of us in Stafford are reaping great benefits from their efforts.

Status of Stafford CW Park as of 16 July. The Guard folks (180th Horizontal Construction Company have really been incredible this past week. Road, and parking areas including Dilger Road, most of General Howard Ave. and all of Battery Heights have now been cleared. Debris disposal throughout, and clearing of the remaining section of Gen Howard Ave and installation of Erosion and Soils controls are next on the agenda.

17 July AT 12:10 AM, the main body of soldiers who will accomplish the next two week's work arrived. This includes about 75 soldiers from the 1033rd Engineering Support Company who will be continuing work done by the 180th Horizontal Construction Company last week. FSCWS members came out to the Mount Hope Church Road Cul-de-sac, shook some hands and welcomed these guys. The FSCWS and many others appreciate the effort on their part, and just think of all the work they will be providing to save these sites and build this park!

More Updates will be posted as they come available!