Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Euclid Creek Tunnel Updates

Euclid Creek Tunnel
As you know, the Euclid Creek Tunnel is currently being constructed as a part of Project Clean Lake, the Sewer District's long-term program to drastically reduce the amount of raw sewage entering local waterways during heavy rains. 

The tunnel itself (nearly 18,000 feet long) is complete, but the Sewer District continues to work on each of the five access shafts and numerous other surface-level project requirements. The Euclid Creek Tunnel is on schedule for a Spring 2015 completion.  

In related news, the Sewer District has completed road repairs along Lakeshore Boulevard between East 150th Street (near St. Jerome's Church) and the Collinwood Recreation Center.  The resurfacing project currently taking place along other portions of Lakeshore Boulevard is being completed by the City of Cleveland.

Lastly, all blasting near ECT-3 (Shaft 3 near Beulah Park) is expected to be complete this week.


What's New?
Parts of a second Sewer District project, the Lakeshore Boulevard Relief Sewer, will begin in late October; work will be done by the Sewer District's Euclid Creek Tunnel contractor, McNally/Kiewit ECT JV.  This second project will include construction of a new sewer beneath Lakeshore Boulevard near the Euclid Creek Pump Station (near Triangle Park). 

This new sewer will be built using trenchless sewer construction and portions of the work will occur beneath Lakeshore Boulevard.  Trenchless construction is optimal because crews do not need to dig a trench the length of the sewer to allow for installation.  However, this does not mean that no surface-level work will be done.  In addition to sewer construction, this project includes utility relocation and excavation of an access shaft.

During utility relocation, service will be maintained except for a brief period when the new connection is being made. The contractor is required to give all affected parties 24-hour notice before a temporary disconnection is made.

There will be traffic impacts during construction.  Signage will be posted but please be aware of changing traffic patterns while utility relocation is taking place.  In addition, excavation of an access shaft will occur within Lakeshore Boulevard; during this time, the northernmost two lanes of Lakeshore Boulevard will be closed for approximately eight months.  However, traffic will be maintained in both directions throughout this period.

As always, thank you for your patience and understanding during construction. 
Please know that we will make every effort to mitigate the impacts to your neighborhood as we strive forward to improve the quality of Lake Erie and surrounding waterways.