Utilities Kingston updating stalled water and sewer project today

Kingston Construction News staff writer

Utilities Kingston is hosting an in-person information session today, Sept. 26 at 5 p.m., to update the water and sewer project on Front Road and King Street West. Construction was halted when the contractor, EBC Inc., encountered site conditions that they did not anticipate.

According to a Sept. 8 project update, Utilities Kingston is working with design consultant WSP Canada Inc. on solutions for technical and contractual issues.

map“It is our goal to have EBC restart the work as soon as possible. If work cannot restart before winter, we will need to discuss and map out the steps necessary to ensure the road and bridge are reinstated to regular traffic flow,” the update states.

The large, phased, multi-year project will redirect sewage from the Portsmouth Pumping Station and interconnect a trunk water main. It is expected to save energy, reduce sewer overflows, create capacity to support downtown development, and improve operations and system performance.

Since the construction shutdown, the city as:

  • Applied for and received an updated Permit to Take Water (PTTW) to allow for additional volumes of water taking to assist the contractor in developing a work methodology for the construction project.
  • Undertaken additional review and analysis of traffic control plans, on behalf of the contractor, to assist in implementing a safe and efficient traffic control plan for the intersection of Country Club Drive and King Street West. Maintaining safe vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic flow through the intersection and construction site is a priority in our reviews.
portsmouth pumping station
Portsmouth pumping station

The updated PTTW is contingent on EBC providing a methodology and dewatering plan, to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), for review and approval.

The current phase of the project, Phase 2A, affects areas along Front Road and King Street West from Sand Bay Lane (Front Road bridge) to Country Club Drive.

Utilities Kingston’s President and CEO David Fell; Director of Utilities Engineering Remi Adedapo and Chris Phippen, manager of utilities engineering, will provide project updates and answer questions at tonight’s information session at the INVISTA Centre, 1350 Gardiners Rd.).

An update will be posted at UtilitiesKingston.com tomorrow, Sept. 27.

“We understand the frustration and delays this stoppage has created for commuters in the area, and the toll it is taking on residents. Cyclists and pedestrians have been especially impacted, and we apologize for the inconvenience,” Fell said. “We look forward to updating our community at this information session.

Since the winter of 2021, the contractor has encountered several technical problems that required amendments to existing approvals and some additional safety considerations, the city confirmed in an earlier update.

“These issues have caused delays that can not yet be quantified and therefore a definitive schedule has not be presented.  An updated schedule for completion of the work will be provided when revised approvals and construction methodologies have been received.

“We do know that at this stage, the original schedule for all work to be completed this year will not be met.”

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