East Durham Waterline Replacement

PROJECT BACKGROUND

The departments of Water Management and Public Works are improving water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure between Fayetteville Street and Alston Avenue. Additional improvements will stretch from Linwood Avenue to Hopkins Street.  The project area does not include areas that were previously rehabilitated or replaced.

Public Works is responsible for managing the City’s rights-of-way including roadway, sidewalk, and stormwater infrastructure. Water Management has worked with Public Works to verify that this infrastructure is also evaluated and assessed within the boundaries of our East Durham project. Roadway and sidewalk infrastructure in need of replacement and/or improvement will be included in water and sewer rehabilitation projects. Two areas within East Durham have already been identified for stormwater infrastructure improvements to address flooding and aging infrastructure. These areas are: 1) Belt Street between Morning Glory Avenue and Franklin Street; and 2) Lincoln Street between Simmons Street and Linwood Avenue.

The Assessment phase of this project was conducted in the summer 2019 through spring 2020. Assessment activities included survey; water meter, fire hydrant and water valve assessments; stormwater and sewer main inspection; flow monitoring; dye testing; and smoke testing. The project will replace existing water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure in the project area that have reached the end of their useful life. As part of the Assessment phase, the consultant developed a design and construction phasing plan to complete all required upgrades to the existing infrastructure within the study area. 

Following the Assessment phase, the consultant will move into the Study/Design phase, which will include topographical survey, geotechnical borings, and Level A SUE. The City anticipates that the required improvements will be packaged into 5 or 6 primary phases. The project area and proposed phases can be viewed in the project area map. The status of each phase is listed below.

If you want to receive project design and construction updates, please contact one of the project managers. 

Project description - PHASE 1A

Phase 1A includes approximately 2,000 feet of water line replacement, 2,850 feet of sanitary sewer replacement or rehabilitation, and 260 feet of stormwater improvements. The project is estimated to cost $7.5 million and will be paid for with capital improvement program (CIP) funds. The project is in the design and permitting phase. Construction is planned to start in fall 2023 and is estimated to last approximately 12 months.

A public meeting to discuss Phase 1A was held on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 at 6 p.m. Click here to view the January 11, 2022 public meeting presentation. 

Video of the meeting--in English and Spanish--can also be found here:
East Durham Water, Sewer, and Stormwater, Phase 1A public meeting - January 11, 2022 - English
East Durham Water, Sewer, and Stormwater, Phase 1A public meeting - January 11, 2022 - Spanish audio

The Phase 1A project area is shown in the map below, along with project brochures containing frequently asked questions (FAQ). The brochures also include detailed project maps showing utility lines proposed for repair and/or replacement and easements required to complete the work. 

Phase 1A Project FAQs
Fase 1A Del Proyecto Preguntas Frecuentes (Español)
Phase 1A Lincoln Street Area
Fase 1A Área de Lincoln Street

PROJECT DESCRIPTION - PHASE 1B

Phase 1B includes approximately 4,900 feet of water line replacement, 7,300 feet of sanitary sewer replacement or rehabilitation, and 1,900 feet of stormwater improvements. The project is estimated to cost $12.3 million and will be paid for with capital improvement program (CIP) funds. The project is in the early design phase. Construction is planned to start in winter 2024 and is estimated to last approximately 18 months. A public meeting to discuss Phase 1B will be scheduled once survey and SUE is complete and the design has progressed to 60% complete. The Phase 1B project area is shown in the map below. City Contractors will begin survey of the Phase 1B project area beginning September 8, 2022.  If you have any questions or comments about this project, please reach out to the project managers. 

PHASE 2

Phase 2 design is scheduled to begin Fall 2023.  Residents will be notified prior to beginning site surveys.

PHASE 3

Phase 3 design is scheduled to begin Spring 2027.  Residents will be notified prior to beginning site surveys.

PHASE 4

Phase 4 design is scheduled to begin Fall 2028.  Residents will be notified prior to beginning site surveys.

East West reinforcing main

The East/West Reinforcing Main design is scheduled to begin Fall 2025.  Residents will be notified prior to beginning site surveys.

Newman Street STATUS

The Newman Street project phase involved installation of approximately 760 linear feet of waterline and sanitary sewer repairs along Newman Street and Walker Street.  Construction was completed in April 2022.  Pre- and post- construction photographs below show the improvements along Newman Street corridor.

Newman Water Main Preconstruction Photo 1              Newman Water Main Post Construction 1
   

Newman Water Main Preconstruction Photo 2              Newman Water Main Post Construction Photo 2