St. John's mayor hoping for cheaper, less disruptive 'big dig'
City looking at replacing century-old water and sewer lines in less time, for less money
St. John's Mayor Dennis O'Keefe has his fingers crossed that exploratory work on Water Street will yield positive results.
This spring the city is going to do some testing to see if a cheaper, less-invasive way to replace century-old water and sewer pipes from Waldegrave Street to Job's Cove will work.
It's looking at what city officials are calling "trenchless remediation." If it works, the trenchless method would require tearing up less of the street than the tradition method of replacing underground infrastructure.
"We're still not sure. What we have decided to do is go and explore that particular option and see whether or not the trenchless technology will work and whether or not it will work completely," said O'Keefe.
"So I'm hoping that once the exploratory work is done that the evidence will show that this trenchless dig will work and I think the businesses on Water Street will be absolutely delighted with it."
O'Keefe say the city's willingness to look at the option of a trenchless dig is "an example of the open-mindedness of city hall."
The city hopes this method, which Coun. Danny Breen said has been used before to do work on Wishingwell Road, would have less impact on downtown businesses, which have complained loudly about the city's original plans to dig up Water Street.
"It would be much better for the downtown area because it would certainly leave pedestrian traffic to move about much easier than a traditional infrastructure replacement," Breen has said.
Once this exploratory work is complete, staff will report back to council with a recommendation as to whether this is a viable option to pursue.
If viable, the project will proceed as planned in 2017.
Breen says if the trenchless method is used the cost of the entire project could drop from $20 million to $11 million.
O'Keefe says the city is doing everything it can to work with downtown businesses that may be affected by the work.
"I and council look at them as being in the heart and soul of the city and we will work with them to ensure that the work that needs to be done will be done with the very least disruption to them as possible," he said.