UPDATE: Richmond American says Soil Erosion Tarp on Silverbrook Road will be Gone 'As Soon As Possible'

Richmond American Homes says it will soon remove the soil erosion tarp that has been sitting along a hillside on Silverbrook Road for more than a year-and-a-half. 

"The latest is we just got our VDOT (Virginia Department of Transportation) work permit and we'll take that permit and give it to Fairfax County and they'll issue their permit to let us to start the work," said Rob Baker, vice president of land development for Richmond American Homes.

• See Soil Erosion Tarp on Silverbrook Road in Lorton to be Removed
• See: Eight Months and Counting: Soil Erosion Tarp Remains on Silverbrook Road

Heavy flooding shifted the soil on the hill in the fall of 2011, and the tarp has covered a gaping hole near a community of townhomes between The hill is located between Laurel Crest Drive and White Spruce Way. 

"This work is probably, depending on the weather, going to be completed somewhere in the 50-75 day range," said Baker. "It could be quicker than that, but we have to make sure the soil is dry when we put it back."

Baker said that the work will be completed by the geotechnical engineer of record (the original contractor who developed the land for townhome use six years ago).

"To complete the process from beginning to end we could have hired any soil engineer to come up with a plan, but typically you want to hire the original geotech engineer of record," he said. "We've really completed the homes out there for some time, five or six years, we reestablished our connection."

When refinished, a rock-bedded riprap channel will funnel storm water from the top of the hill to prevent future landslides, said Baker. 

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