Central Avenue Pipe Repair Update, July 15 2022
Transcript for this video appears at bottom of this page.
On Thursday, July 7th, a customer called about a manhole on Central Avenue.
A rapid response crew was dispatched to investigate Thursday morning and found that the manhole needed a new top and interior cleaning due to grease build-up. Crews returned Friday and additional investigations found that the wastewater pipe was leaking 17 feet below ground and the only option was to the close the road.
- Crews set up temporary pumps to maintain wastewater service and prevent a larger wastewater spill.
- A drinking water pipe is very close to the work area and is being relocated to reduce water outages for customers during the pipe and manhole replacement effort.
- Two new valves were installed to maintain water service to businesses.
Traffic detours were implemented, which impacted residents in the area significantly. We understand how inconvenient they are. CLTWater made every effort to work in the zone, but a road closure was necessary to finish the work as quickly, safely, and efficiently as possible.
This is one of many areas in Charlotte that is growing. It is essential that CLTWater continues this work of maintaining and rehabilitation our critical infrastructure so it can support development in the City.
Schedule
- Friday, July 15th, 2022
- Crews replaced a wastewater manhole due to the brick structure beginning to break.
- Weekend
- Storm water pipes had to be removed to complete this work and will be replaced.
- 20 feet of drinking water pipe will be relocated and put back in service.
- Tuesday
- Crews will rebuild the road by adding new soil and compacting it in preparation for repaving.
- Crews will mill and pave the road in preparation to restripe and reopen late Tuesday or Wednesday, weather permitting.
Top photos – View of collapsing manhole with a hose inside to pump wastewater out to maintain service.
Large photo – A new (red) valve was installed to turn off the water in the construction zone and keep water service on for businesses.
Transcript for video: “Central Avenue Repair Update, 7/15/22:”
On July 7th, a customer called to report a manhole lid that was missing on a sewer manhole in this area. Our rapid response crew responded, found that the manhole lid needed to be replaced, but also found grease in the manhole. So upon their cleaning, they found that there was major damage to our wastewater pipe and manhole in the underground. This is an old manhole that was made brick and mortar. The bricks were starting to crumble, the mortar was falling into the manhole. We also found that it was leaking, causing a spill, and it became an emergency repair. Once we excavated, we also had to replace storm drain and drinking water pipe in the area. We did a lot of work to minimize the impact on customers. We installed two new water valves so that we could keep customers in this block in service while we do the work underground. This is a challenging project, especially since it’s in the middle of the intersection or in the road. We are trying our best to reopen the road as safely and quickly as we can. We are also making some adjustments to our water pipe here too to minimize future disruptions.