Construction for the Coe Branch Stream Restoration project seeking to improve drainage to nearby residences and Howard E. Herman Stream Valley Park is expected to begin this week, the City of Falls Church announced Monday. The City expects the project to take up to six months to complete during which time the park will be closed to pedestrians.

In addition to improved drainage, the goal of the project is to mitigate water quality concerns related to an eroding stream bank and to create a natural-looking stream channel corridor that will be the centerpiece of the park. The project is funded in part by a State and Tribal Assistance Grant and City capital funds.

A total of 1,350 native canopy and understory trees and shrubs will be planted to replace approximately 400 trees of varying sizes that need to be removed for the new stream channel. The City has a target completion date of early November, so the planting of new trees and shrubs can be completed during the fall planting season.

More information on the project is available on the City’s website at www.fallschurchva.gov/StreamRestoration. A photo album of the project’s progress will be posted on the website and the City’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/CityOfFallsChurchGov.