Article Contributed on: 10/13/2009 12:44:11 PM
The current water pipeline construction by the city of Westminster on 88th Avenue and Harlan Street will continue through the end of the year, according to the city's senior engineer Dan Strietelmeier.
Officially called the southern pressure zone 1 water transmission pipeline, it starts at 91st Avenue and Pierce Street, where there is a pump station, and extends along 91st to Harlan. A leg of the pipeline will run up to 92nd and south on Harlan to 88th Ave. and through the Lowe's parking lot, before it continues east and connects to the end of an existing pipeline in the southeast corner of the former La Belle's shopping center.
The city's contractor, BT Construction, has completed at least 2,400 feet of the 9,100-foot line for the project, which will provide long-term reliability and increased water pressure to the southern portion of Westminster.
Strietelmeier said the job would be complete prior to the expiration of the city's treated water-delivery contract with the city of Thornton, which goes back to the early 1980s.
The project includes the placement of 30- and 36-inch diameter ductile iron pipe, which is a high strength material commonly used for water lines. The trenches being dug are from 6 to 15 feet in depth, with the 36-inch pipes located closer to the Semper Water treatment facility at 91st Avenue and Pierce Street. The deeper sections are necessary to avoid existing gas lines, and other water, sewer and stormwater utilities
The $3 million project is funded by the city's capital improvement fund and has been on the radar as part of the master plan for the utility system since 2006, which is when the improvement was recommended.
With a total of 10 pressure zones, which are individual zones based on topography, in the distribution system that are isolated by pressure and flow and valving, Strietelmeier said, "The pipeline will improve our drinking water system and reliability by moving water from the Semper Water treatment facility to the southern portion of Westminster.
Strietelmeier said lane closures would occur on 88th Avenue, but there will always be at least one lane open. Busy intersections at Westminster Mall entrances on 88th Avenue and Harlan would probably be worked on during the night to alleviate congestion.
Kenton Anderson, general manager at Westminster Mall said, "It will be a disruption and we'd rather it wasn't so close to the holiday season, but as long as they get the work done on schedule, we realize these things can't be avoided. We know there will be times we will have to be patient."
"With this job, the challenges are working around all the existing utilities on a busy street," said Strietelmeier.