Exploratory Work Begins on Water Street

The City of St. John’s has hired a consultant to begin exploratory work on the water and sewer infrastructure on Water Street. Representatives of CBCL Limited will be conducting work cove by cove on Water Street, beginning in early July between Waldegrave Street and Job’s Cove.
 
“The water and sewer infrastructure on Water Street is over 100 years old and in need of replacement,” explained Chair of Public Works Committee, Councillor Jonathan Galgay. “Construction to replace the existing sewer and watermain will begin in 2016; this summer the consultants will focus on getting a complete picture of what is underground and what will be required next year to do the replacement effectively, safely and efficiently.”
 
Exploratory work will involve some minor excavation and drilling to video the existing sewer systems, trace the water mains, and confirm the location of underground electrical. In addition, over the next few months the consultant will visit local properties along Water Street to investigate ongoing water and sewer issues, as well as how these properties connect to the main infrastructure.
 
“Based on feedback received from local organizations and associations, we have decided to do this work in the evenings to minimize traffic disruptions as much as possible,” explained Councillor Galgay. “Most of the work will occur Sunday to Thursday between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., during which time sections of Water Street will be closed to traffic.”
 
The exploratory work will begin in July and is expected to take 4-6 weeks to complete. It is anticipated that the total project – replacing the infrastructure along Water Street between Prescott Street and Waldegrave Street - will take four to five construction seasons to complete. A public information session is scheduled for Thursday, July 2 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the LSPU Hall.
 
“Although tearing up Water Street section by section to replace the underground infrastructure will be inconvenient and disruptive, we see this as an opportunity to consider how we would like one of our major streets to look and function into the future,” said Councillor David Lane. “We will take this opportunity to engage with residents, business owners and others with a vested interest in the downtown on improvements that can be made following construction.”
 
A complete public engagement strategy will begin after exploration is complete.
 
Media Contact:
Kelly Maguire
Media Relations
City of St. John's
709-576-8491
kmaguire@stjohns.ca