On Baker's Corner: Sewer re-routing to facilitate repairs

Warning: Creating default object from empty value in template_preprocess_profile_block() (line 493 of /home/knaddiso/hyperlocalnews/modules/profile/profile.module).

The Metro Wastewater Reclamation District is the wastewater treatment agency for most of metropolitan Denver. The District provides wastewater transmission and treatment services to Denver, Aurora, Arvada, Lakewood, Thornton, Westminster, and the other member municipalities and special connectors in compliance with federal, state, and local laws.

The Metro District has a continuous program for the inspection and rehabilitation of its interceptor sewers. This program is intended to identify and repair sewers before there is a catastrophic failure of this critical infrastructure. In June 2008, the Metro District Board of Directors approved a contract with Spiniello Companies for rehabilitation work on several of Metro’s interceptor sewer lines. Two of these interceptors – the Cherry Creek and Cherry Creek Common are in the City and County of Denver.

The Cherry Creek Interceptor has served as one of the primary means for conveying wastewater from the Denver metropolitan area to the Robert W. Hite Treatment Plant without any major rehabilitation since its construction in the early 1980s. Various sections of the interceptors running along Cherry Creek will be repaired. Work near University Blvd., and First Avenue is in the final stages. The next phase will start near Downing Street & Speer Blvd. and travel west to approximately 11th Avenue.

For rehabilitation projects like that needed on the Cherry Creek system, Metro uses methods that allow repair to these pipes in the ground rather than excavating large areas. Although this allows the pipes to be rehabilitated with the least amount of surface disruption, the process is not invisible.

In order to make the repairs to the existing pipe, it is necessary to access those pipes and re-route the wastewater around the pipe sections that are being repaired. The process starts by inserting a pipe into the interceptor upstream of the location of the actual rehabilitation work to bypass pump wastewater around the section. The bypass pipe will be inserted into the manhole located in Speer Blvd. between Downing and Corona Streets. The bypass pipe will be laid along the side of Cherry Creek. A ramp will be built near Speer and Corona where the bypass will cross the bike trail to maintain access there. Once the wastewater has been diverted to the bypass pipe, the walls of the interceptor are cleaned and a camera is inserted so that the crew can view the entire surface of the pipe for any specific problems that need attention. After this review is complete, a flexible liner is inserted, which, once cured, becomes the new interior surface of the interceptor. The bypass pipe is then removed, surrounding areas repaired, and the crew moves to another location. The entire process takes approximately nine to ten weeks. There will be some noise associated with the generators and machinery used in this process, but once the liner insertion process starts on a section of pipe it must continue around the clock until it is complete. It is important to note that it is critical that this infrastructure be repaired in a timely manner despite the inconvenience. Failure to maintain and repair sanitary sewer lines can result in failure of the pipes, overflows of raw wastewater, and major excavations to remove and replace failed pipes.

Because the interceptor is within Speer Boulevard, traffic in the area will be affected. Metro is working with Denver to ensure that all commuters are aware of any lane closures, alternate routes, and contact information for questions. The lane closures are necessary to access the facilities and ensure the safety of the workers as well as commuters.

The current phase of the Cherry Creek Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project will begin at Downing Street where pumps will divert flow to the bypass pipes which are being laid along Cherry Creek. There should be little if any impact to the bike path along this route; however, because of the location of the Interceptor within Speer Blvd. lane closures will once again be necessary to access the facilities and ensure the safety of the workers as well as commuters. Work will end at 11th Avenue and Bannock Street, in the vicinity of Denver Health where Spiniello will need to cut through the concrete in order to facilitate flow returning to the Interceptor at that location. Spiniello will begin cutting Thursday 5/21 at 7:00 pm and continue until Friday morning at 6:00 am. On Friday 5/22 work will again begin at 7:00pm and continue through the weekend until Monday morning at 6:00am.

The Metro District will make every effort to work efficiently and minimize disruption to traffic and the surrounding areas during this period of time. The bypass in this area is anticipated to be completed mid July 2009.

If you have any questions concerning the project please contact the Metro District’s Project Manager, Kelsey Gedge, at (303) 286-3357 or Mary Dechant, Governmental Programs Administrator, at (303) 286 3467.