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 of groundwater and contamination in the water from an old leak by an underground fuel tank. Public Works, the Water Department, HEB (the City’s engineering consultant) and Evroks Corp. (the General Contractor) worked together to modify the water main and sewer design in order to minimize the volume of contaminated groundwater that we will have to deal with during installation of the utilities. Public Works and HEB also worked with our environmental engineering consultant, Loureiro and the EPA to develop another simpler method for handling any contaminated groundwater.
The bridge closure dates were slated for Labor Day to Columbus Day with the intent to open the bridge prior to the Pumpkin Festival. With the Chamber of Commerce’s decision to not hold their Pumpkin Fest this year, the planned bridge closure will be from Tuesday, October 12 (day after Columbus Day) to Sunday, November 14. The water main and drainage work will begin in mid-August. The sewer lining was completed in April 2020. The plan is to maintain two lanes of traffic during the utility construction until the bridge is closed.
Contact Krista Larsen, Assistant Public Works Director, at 528-6379 or KLarsen@laconianh.gov with any questions.
