Construction Recap: Jan 19-Mar 6

As we return to regular weekly updates, we want to highlight key progress made over the past several weeks. A lot of hard work has gone into this project, and this recap helps show how far things have come.

Progress Jan. 19-30

• Crews finished final hydrant work along 29th Street and shifted all activity to the Taft Avenue work zone from 18th to 29th Streets. Work began on both the northbound and southbound sides with plans to meet in the middle.

• Remaining customers along the Taft work zone from 22nd Street to Abarr Drive were switched to temporary water.

• An 8-inch valve was installed at Abarr Drive and a 12-inch inserta valve was added at West 22nd Street and James Drive to help isolate water service.

• Paving on 29th Street was completed along with thermal crosswalks. Crews also finished paving behind southbound Taft work between 29th and 28th Streets.

• Lake Loveland levels were closely monitored to assess conditions for upcoming stormwater construction.

Progress Feb. 2-13

• Stormwater construction began on the inlets along Lake Loveland. Crews excavated for new inlets and installed pipe, followed by contracted concrete crews completing inlet work and tie-ins.

• Waterline installation continued from both ends of the project. In the first week of February, crews installed about 1,400 feet of 16-inch PVC waterline.

• Speeding traffic along the work zone became a growing safety concern and was monitored more closely.

• Paving continued south past 28th Street to the North Lake Park entrance, and patching was completed after inserta valve work.

• T. Lowell crews pumped down Abarr Pond to prepare for stormwater work that includes replacing damaged pipe sections and installing new pipe to the pond.

• Monitoring continued at Lake Loveland, and high water levels delayed some stormwater construction. This allowed crews to make faster progress on waterline installation.

• West 22nd Street closed at Taft as crews began preparing the site for upcoming vault installation.

Progress Feb. 16-27

• Design work continued for sanitary sewer replacement near Abarr Pond.

• Stormwater pipe installation began along the east side of Abarr Pond, including manhole work, a new inlet and a headwall at the outlet.

• Stormwater inlet construction continued with concrete pours and sweeps connecting system sections.

• Stormwater pipe work started at 22nd Street.

• Lake Loveland levels continued to be monitored to assess conditions for stormwater work. Crews remained confident they could complete stormwater tasks through mid-April.

• A work site near-miss brought renewed focus to safety and traffic speed.

• Installation of the 16-inch PVC waterline was completed. Work continued on flushing, disinfecting and testing the new line,

• Crews encountered many unmarked utilities during both water and stormwater pipe installation, which slowed progress in some areas. With two crews still able to focus on waterline work while Lake Loveland levels were monitored, the project stayed ahead of schedule.

• East 18th Street remained partially open with a full closure planned soon.

Progress March 2-6

• The new 16-inch waterline was placed into service, and crews completed most of the transfers for roughly 41 connections. Only service at 25th Street remained.

• This upgrade replaced aging 12-inch cast iron pipe from just north of 18th Street through West 29th Street. The new line improves water pressure, strengthens long-term system reliability and reduces the chance of unexpected outages.

• Stormwater outfall improvement work continued at key locations.

• Additional signage was installed near Empire to discourage cut-through traffic.

• Crews focused on cleanup across the work zone, especially after a major rainstorm required crews to secure open excavations and quickly redirect water.

• Work site mobilization began at 18th Street and Taft Avenue.

• Lake Loveland levels were monitored as crews prepared for a meeting to evaluate construction options.