This project is a necessary part of a larger, federally-mandated program to reduce sewage overflows during rainstorms. This project will provide updated infrastructure that will help ensure HRSD’s ability to protect public health and the environment for decades to come.

We look at numerous routes/sites to determine what meets HRSD’s needs of availability, price, location of the site to the existing pump station, property agreement terms, and ease of access to the property for construction and future maintenance.

Disruptions to traffic will be minimized, and in most cases, a single lane of traffic will be maintained. One planned detour is required near the intersection of Wilroy Road and Portsmouth Boulevard. The majority of the project areas are to be handled with simple flagging to help direct traffic as needed. Although most of the project work will be located within the public and private right-of ways, much of the construction will be “trenchless,” meaning the contractor will not need to dig up the street to fix the pipes. However, certain sections of sewer are in very poor condition and must be replaced by digging.

The contractor will ensure that access to residences and at least one entrance to businesses will be maintained throughout construction. Trash and mail services will not be affected. If necessary, the contractor will move trash containers from within a work zone to an area accessible for pickup and will be responsible for returning them to each residence.

To protect structures during construction, vibration monitoring will be utilized throughout the project. Vibration monitoring will be carried out in advance of and during construction. Alerts are provided to the contractor, and work will be stopped if these vibrations exceed federally established levels that may cause damage to residential structures.

The work required to rehabilitate or replace sanitary sewer lines may require the lateral pipe serving your property to be removed from service and subsequently reinstated once work on the main sewer pipe has been completed. This interruption of service will be temporary, and the contractor will notify you before work begins so you can plan accordingly. The sewer service typically will be restored within several hours. Your water service should not be affected by this project.

Work will typically take place Monday through Friday during daylight hours (7 a.m. - 5 p.m.). However, there may be times when extended hours, work at night, or weekend work may be necessary.

Where sewer and lateral pipes are dug up, asphalt, curb, gutters, driveway aprons, and grass will be removed and then restored upon completion of the project.

The typical construction noises such as equipment engines, back-up alarms, materials being delivered, diesel generators, air compressors, sawing, and associated activities should be anticipated.

The contractor has negotiated with a private property owner for a storage area in the project vicinity, and this site will be used for most of the equipment and supplies. The contractor will keep some supplies within the active work zone, in the public right-of way.

Construction workers will not be allowed to park their personal vehicles on the public streets. However, work trucks will be allowed to park within the active work zone.

The estimated cost for the project is approximately $45 million and is financed by the wastewater treatment fees paid by HRSD customers.

Regular project updates are posted on the HRSD website at www.hrsd.com/construction-status. You may also sign up at www.hrsd.com/subscriptions to receive an email notification whenever the website has an update about the project.