Underground utility construction began in the fall of 2020. Groundwater infiltration into the drilling pits for the new water line presented a challenge due to volume and contamination from an earlier leak from an underground fuel tank. Public Works stopped that work and the Water Department, Public Works, HEB (the City’s engineering consultant) and Evroks Corp. (the General Contractor) have investigated alternatives for installing the new water line, as well as modifications to the sewer design, in order to minimize the volume of contaminated groundwater that we will have to deal with during installation of the utilities.
Due to the design changes, the dates for the bridge closure have been changed to September/October 2021. The design changes include changes to the water main layout, lining the existing sewer in lieu of replacing the sewer, and changes to the bridge pile cap. All were necessary to minimize the volume of groundwater that we have to handle.
The closure dates will be finalized in the coming weeks, however, the closure is expected to be between Labor Day and Columbus Day 2021. During the bridge closure, Route 3 bypass will be used as the detour route.
As plans are finalized, DPW will update its 2021 construction schedule. We expect that we will be lining the sewer and installing the water main before tourist season begins this spring. The changes to the design of the utility lines will also help make it easier to keep two lanes of traffic open during this work.
Contact Krista Larsen, Assistant Public Works Director, at 528-6379 or KLarsen@laconianh.gov with any questions.
