The underground Paradise Avenue force main is getting upgraded early next year, with work scheduled to wrap up before the summer of 2023. #MiddletownRI
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Matt Sheley at (401) 842-6543 or msheley@middletownri.com
PARADISE AVENUE FORCE MAIN WORK EARLY NEXT YEAR
MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (DECEMBER 27, 2022) – The Paradise Avenue pump station force main is getting an upgrade.
At a recent meeting, the Town Council unanimously approved a contract for CB Utility Co. to replace about 2,500 feet of underground pipe from the pump station to the Kane Avenue area.
Town Engineer Warren Hall said construction on the project was expected to start in late January or early February and be finished before Memorial Day 2023. While work was happening, Hall said motorists could expect lane closures, detours and delays.
“We looked at all different options (for repairing the existing pipe). We looked at sliplining, we looked at pulling a new pipe through (a process known as pipe bursting). The sliplining was more expensive, almost double because it’s a 2,400-foot-run,” said Hall of the process where a a sock-like material is pulled through the existing line and adheres to the walls after being superheated by steam.
In recent years, the town has methodically replaced, repaired or overhauled its underground sewer and stormwater handling infrastructure, which operate independently of each other.
Addressing the worst problem areas first, the goal of that work has been to limit costly emergency repairs and try to avoid environmental issues that can impact quality of life, the local economy and overall reputation of the community.
Last summer, the town had a portion of the sewer force main on Memorial Boulevard redone, work required as part of its wastewater handling agreement with the City of Newport.
Hall said there was a problem with the Paradise Avenue force main a couple years back. Subsequent inspections revealed the pipe appears to have reached the end of its useful life.
The way the town’s sewer system works, about 90 percent of the effluent generated in Middletown runs through the Wave Avenue pump station next to Newport Beach Hotel & Suites.
Hall said the existing force main pipe will remain in the ground in case it’s needed in an emergency. The new 10-inch-wide pipe will be laid in the same area as the current line to avoid too many disruptions. Materials from the project would be stored on the pump station property, Hall said.
In response to a request from council President Paul M. Rodrigues that the project not interfere with the start of the upcoming beach season, Hall and others said the work would be done on time and budget.
“I think it’s early enough in the season that we can get it in,” Town Administrator Shawn J. Brown said. “The other thing is it’s Brito Construction, who we’ve had good luck with and has done projects for us in the past.”
Document Center: https://www.middletownri.com/DocumentCenter/View/6482/NYCU-PAPS
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