Construction is underway on a wastewater pipe replacement project along Irwin Creek Tributaries in the Clanton Park/Roseland and York Road neighborhoods that will expand the future capacity of the wastewater system in the area. The project will reduce the risk of wastewater overflows and protect water quality in Irwin Creek.
Schedule: Contractors
for Charlotte Water began construction at Barringer Drive and Stuart
Andrew Boulevard in May 2020 and completed pipe installation in this immediate
area in January 2021. Crews began construction on the northern branch toward
Dewitt Lane in January 2021 and on the southern branch toward Yeoman Road in
February 2021 (see map). Construction schedules are subject to change, due to
weather and other conditions.
The sequence of work: The project is divided into four phases:
1. Planning and Field Investigation: To help design the new
wastewater pipeline, during this phase subcontractors for Charlotte Water
inspect wastewater manholes and the existing wastewater line that will be
replaced. They also survey existing rights-of-way and other properties that may
be impacted by construction. Areas along the potential route for the new
wastewater line may be marked with temporary flags, ribbons, wood stakes, or
spray paint. You may see surveyors in the area, as well as traffic control
devices that help guide motorists and pedestrians around any lane closures
necessary for crews to complete initial inspections.
2. Design and Permitting: After field investigations are complete, the project team uses the information gathered from the surveying work to make design drawings and seek various permits for construction. At this time, Charlotte Water typically holds a community meeting to review initial findings and seek community input on the proposed route for the new wastewater pipeline.There is likely to be more fieldwork to complete the design of the new wastewater pipeline. This work can include visually confirming the location of some underground utilities. Crews may dig a small, exploratory hole along the proposed path of the new wastewater pipeline to see the underground utilities. Crews may also do test drilling for rock and soils to determine what will be encountered during construction. Street lanes may be briefly closed to complete these field tests. Motorists and pedestrians should follow all traffic control signs to get around the temporary work.
3. Construction: Once the design and permits are approved, work to install the new wastewater pipeline begins. Charlotte Water will mail area businesses and residents notifications about the construction start date and what to expect. Regular construction and progress updates will also be mailed throughout the project. Construction activities to expect include:
- Lane closures around the work area – Motorists and pedestrians should follow all traffic control signs and use caution around the work areas.
- Moving equipment on-site – Crews will move construction equipment and pipe to staging areas along the route as construction starts and progresses.
- Pipe delivery and storage – Pipe will be stored within construction easements.
- Site clearing, trench digging, placing pipe and backfilling
- Customers may feel a rumble – Crews may remove large rock by use of small blasts. In areas along the route where blasting is required, residents within a 500 feet radius of the blasting area will be contacted further by project team members. Blasting is a standard construction procedure. Holes are drilled into the rock for dynamite placement and then covered with heavy mats. A seismograph monitor records blast vibrations to verify they are within specifications. All safety precautions will be taken. Customers may hear a warning horn, a muffled noise, and slight vibrations or rumble similar to a slammed door or thunder.
- Construction traffic (dump trucks and equipment) along the alignment, within the easement.
4. Restoration: After the wastewater line is installed and activated, contractors will restore areas disturbed during construction. This includes grading the soil, seeding area with annual ryegrass, applying straw mulch, installing permanent fencing that was removed for construction, and restoring creek banks.