On Wednesday, August 27, the Town held its monthly project meeting with State Utility Contractors to receive updates on the waterline project. Please be mindful that the Town has been providing the information it has been given by contractors, engineers, and NCDOT. This is a complex project in which field conditions can result in delays and alterations in work and schedules. Thank you for your continued patience during this once-in-a-lifetime project that has been in the works since 2007. If you have questions, please contact Town Hall at 704-436-9800.
State Utility informed the Town that they now have 4 crews working on the waterline project. Crews 1, 2, & 4 are working to install the new waterlines on Main Street and Franklin Street, while Crew 3 is conducting the service tie-ins. Several people have asked why it looks like crews are constantly digging up the same areas. The general order of operations to install new waterline is as follows:
- Cut pavement
- Dig Trench
- Install Line
- Temporarily fill trench with soil
- Once new waterline reaches specified points, pressure test new line with water
- Dig out trench to specified depth and fill with NCDOT approved materials depending on location of trench (appropriate combination of stone, soil, and/or flowable fill per NCDOT approved pavement schedule). Engineering contractors and NCDOT conduct inspections during this process to ensure appropriate compaction. If compaction is not approved, then the fill has to be altered/remediated.
- Pavement is restored along trenched area. Final paving will occur later when all work is complete.
- Service tie-ins are completed for each customer. This typically requires some digging around each customer’s meter box to make the connections.
The chart and map at the end of this update show the status of each segment of the project. Below is a summary of the status of each segment of the project:
N. MAIN STREET
The section of N. Main Street between Cook Street and Hwy. 49 is nearly complete. Crews are finalizing service tie-ins in this area. N. Main Street is open to local traffic between Cook Street and Highway 49. The section of N. Main Street between Hwy. 49 and North Drive is also nearly complete as crews finalize tie-ins and pavement restoration.
Unfortunately, at N. Main Street and Walnut Street, an intersection closure that should have only been two days turned into a month-long closure. Last year, NCDOT replaced a stormwater pipe that sits directly over the Town’s old water line. Due to the proximity of the pipe to the waterline and the lack of adequate compaction around the replaced stormwater pipe, the vibration and weight of the heavy equipment working in area caused the old waterline to rupture. Due to the age of valves and valve locations, the Public Works crew was unable to isolate the leak to fully repair the line. The line is currently clamped and the hole in the road has remained open, because the stormwater pipe also needs to be replaced and cannot be replaced until the leak is repaired or the old line is abandoned for the new line. The new line should be active within three weeks, and the old line can be abandoned, the stormwater pipe replaced, and the road fully repaired.
As discussed in the July 30 project update, crews began to install the waterline along N. Main Street between Cook Street and Franklin St. (Hwy. 73). In early September, the open cut across Highway 73 will take place utilizing lane closures and flagging with plates placed over the trench when work is not occurring. This will be followed by an open cut across S. Main Street at the square utilizing the same method. The new waterline will continue down to Lee Street with lane closures and flagging throughout September. The full length of N. Main Street should be reopened before the end of September.
Detail at The Square
HWY. 49
Crews have nearly completed the Highway 49 waterline installation between Main Street and Highway 73. A subcontractor has been boring under Highway 73 to connect to the existing 12-inch waterline at that location. Affected sidewalk will be replaced before the end of the project.
E. FRANKLIN ST. (HWY. 73)
Beginning in early September, a crew will be working on the new 12-inch waterline on E. Franklin Street from Main Street to Blueberry Street. This section of road has a wider cross section to work in and will utilize lane closures and flagging. This will cause some delays in travel on the east side of town, so please plan accordingly. Work on E. Franklin Street is currently scheduled during September and October.
W. FRANKLIN ST. (HWY. 73)
State Utility has scheduled two crews to work on W. Franklin Street to expedite the completion of that section. Beginning in September, a crew will be working in the shoulder of W. Franklin Street between N. Skyland Drive and S. Halifax Street. Work in this section will utilize lane closures with flaggers generally occurring Monday-Friday 9am-4pm (hours required by NCDOT).
In October, W. Franklin Street between Main Street and S. Halifax Street will be closed to through traffic with a detour put in place utilizing Main Street (which will be reopened). The closure is being required by NCDOT due to roadway width and waterline location. Two crews will be working inward from S. Halifax and Main Street simultaneously to expedite the completion of this section and reduce the time of the closure. Access to businesses and residents will be maintained, while through traffic is detoured.
Detail on W. Franklin St. Near Halifax St. showing shift from south side (shoulder) to north side (roadway)
Progress Map
