Forest Hills Park Sewer Improvements

PROJECT INFORMATION

The City of Durham Department of Water Management is currently performing preliminary engineering services to upsize approximately 6.900 feet of an existing gravity sewer main which runs through the City's Forest Hills Park. Approximately 4,600 feet of new sewer main will be installed, and the project also includes 2,300 feet of gravity sewer main beginning at the downstream boundary of the City's West End project at W. Forest Hills Boulevard and running southeast to the connection with the mainline sewer in Forest Hills park.

In addition to the sewer utilities above, the project will also include evaluation for replacement or rehabilitation of approximately 2,500 LF of 12-inch cast-iron waterline and approximately 700 of 8-inch vitrified clay gravity main located within the right-or-way of University Drive and Lakewood Avenue. These utilities are identified in Figure 1. Where waterline replacement is to  occur, any meters larger than 1-inch shall be upgraded to a new Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) technology.

PROJECT SCHEDULING

Preliminary engineering report fall 2024.
Design and construction schedule to be determined.

PROJECT UPDATE

June 2023

To be announced.  

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. 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 subsurface utility engineering (SUE) 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 patched.
   • Work of this nature will be conducted within daytime hours. If “off hours” work is required, advance notice shall be provided.
2. What is geotechnical boring and Level A SUE?
   • Subcontractors for the City of Durham will be performing subsurface investigations throughout the project area to locate existing buried utilities and determine soil properties. This will help to avoid conflicts with existing utilities during the design and construction phases. It also helps the contractor prepare for different soil conditions. Lane closures lasting several hours will be used at each of the subsurface investigation locations throughout the project area. Small amounts of soil will be removed via an auger or vacuum to complete the investigation, followed by repairing the excavation.
3. What impacts can be expected during the construction phase of the project?
   • Limited construction will occur on private properties. All property owners will be provided notice in advance of construction near their property.
   • There will be pedestrian, traffic, and noise impacts during construction.
   • The City’s contractor will be required to maintain access to residences and businesses at all times.
   • Sound levels near active construction areas are anticipated to be between 70 and 90 decibels. 
   • Appropriate communication and signage will direct property owners, residents, and visitors through the area with regards to any impacts throughout construction.
   • At the completion of the project, disturbed areas along roadways and sidewalks will be repaved, and lawns will be graded and reseeded.
4. Will my water/sewer service be affected by the project?
   • During the construction phase, existing water meters in the project area will be reconnected to the newly installed waterlines. It is possible that you will be without water for a short duration (typically a few hours) while this transition takes place. Any service interruptions will be communicated with property owners in advance.

PROJECT MAP