Celeste and Githens Lift Station Upgrades

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Project Description

The Celeste Circle Lift Station (CCLS) is located near NC-54 and George King Road. It will require short-term structural improvements and will require long-term capacity upgrades to accommodate future growth. Long-term improvements will include replacement at a different location.

The Githens School Lift Station (GSLS) is located near the intersection of Old Chapel Hill Road and SW Durham Drive. Due to its capacity and condition, the City has determined that the station is in need of replacement. Also, reference the Githens School Basin Sanitary Sewer Lift Station Improvements letter to industry for more information. 

Freese and Nichols, Inc. (FNI) will assist the City with evaluation and design services for these projects.

Key Project Dates

• Notice to Proceed: November 8, 2019
• Begin Survey Work: Early February 2020
• Complete Evaluation of GSLS: February 2020
• Complete Evaluation of CCLS: April 2020
• Complete Evaluation of Western Outfall:  April 2020
• Begin Design of GSLS Replacement Lift Station: Spring 2020
• Begin Construction of GSLS Replacement Lift Station: Summer 2022
• Complete Design of CCLS Structural Repairs: End of August 2020
• Begin Construction of CCLS Structural Repairs: Early 2021
• Begin Survey Work for CCLS Replacement Lift Station: September 2020
• Complete Design of CCLS Replacement Lift Station: September 2021
• Construction Award of CCLS Replacement Lift Station: Late 2022

• Begin Construction of CCLS Replacement Lift Station: Winter 2023

Project Updates

February 2023
A public meeting for the Celeste Circle Lift Station Upgrades Project was held on Tuesday, February 28, 2023. Details of the project, which includes construction of a new lift station and force main replacement were discussed. Video of the meeting can be found here:

January 2023  
The GSLS Replacement Lift Station is still under construction. The CCLS replacement has been awarded and will be under construction soon.

July 2022  
The GSLS Replacement Lift Station is beginning construction. The Celeste Circle Lift Station replacement is currently bidding. Construction award is anticipated in late 2022.

February 2021
The GSLS Replacement Lift Station design is in the permitting phase. The site plan number is D2000313. The design for the structural repairs of the CCLS have been completed and a construction contract awarded.  Construction is scheduled to begin on March 1, 2021. Design for the replacement CCLS is in progress. Although most fieldwork has been completed, some may still be performed. Residents in the area may see field crews near their residence and/or property. All field personnel will wear appropriate field clothing that identifies their company along with proper safety attire.

July 2020
The GSLS Replacement Lift Station is currently in the design phase. While most data was collected during preliminary design, residents may see field personnel revisiting the project area as needed. 

It has been determined that the CCLS Lift Station is in need of structural repairs until such time a replacement station can be constructed. The design for the repairs is underway and construction is anticipated to begin late 2020 or early 2021.  It has also been determined that the station will be replaced at a new location. Preliminary design for the replacement station will begin in late summer 2020. As part of this process, survey crews will be performing topographic survey of the existing site, future site, sections of the existing collection system, as well as pipeline corridors. Residents in the area may see field crews near your residence and/or property. All field personnel will wear appropriate field clothing that identifies their company along with proper safety attire. The survey activity is expected to begin in September 2020 and last approximately three months.

January 2020
The project is currently in the data collection and preliminary design phase. As part of this process, survey crews will survey the existing sites, sections of the collection system, and possible locations for future lift stations and pipelines. Residents in the area may see field crews near your residence and/or property. All field personnel will wear appropriate field clothing that identifies their company along with proper safety attire. The survey activity is expected to begin in early February 2020 and last approximately four months. The survey work is being done by FNI’s sub-consultant, Stewart Engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

What impacts can be expected during the study/design phase of the project?

• Field survey of the existing utilities in the project area.
• Non-toxic temporary paint will be used to mark the location of buried utilities in the project area. The temporary paint will wash away in several weeks depending on rain, traffic, etc.
• Localized borings will be required to obtain information about existing utility locations and geotechnical conditions.
• Sound levels associated with localized borings are anticipated to be between 70 and 90 decibels.
• Pedestrian and traffic impacts within the project limits are expected to be limited.
• Small pavement cuts may be required and will be temporarily patched.
• Work of this nature will be conducted within daytime hours. If “off hours” work is required advance notice shall be provided.