Trenchless Piping Part of Strategy For Old Town Temecula Restorations
Renovations of the historic Old Town Temecula district in southern California will need additional funding and time after construction crews discovered large boulders underneath the district as they were installing new sewer pipes.
PE.com reports that the construction crews will need $1.5 million in additional funding on top of the original budget of $12.4 million. The company orchestrating the renovations, the Eastern Municipal Water District, will need to utilize a heavy-duty piping technique know as “jack and bore” in order to plow through the boulders. Beginning in the fall of last year and originally slated to be completed by this December, the project will most likely extend into 2016.
District officials had met with Old Town businessmen and women to present photos and updates on the project. The district’s merchants, although not entirely thrilled with the increased level of noise and traffic caused by the construction, are grateful that the crews will not dig up the ground while doing so.
“They aren’t going to do an open trench,” said Kim Baily, a restaurant owner. “They’re keeping to their word by not tearing up the sidewalks.”
The renovations were implemented in part as a response to the noxious smells being emitted by the current sewer pipes. The pipes were known to “overload” during special occasions and busy weekends, among other times.
In order to avoid digging a giant trench in the sidewalks, which is something traditional construction methods would require, the construction crews will use a technique known as “trenchless construction.” The method involves digging shafts to enable workers to drill holes for the new pipes. Trenchless pipe construction uses the old pipe as a “guide” of sorts, directing where the new pipes should go. The new pipes will connect to the old pipes to handle overflow.
“By making the commitment to the community of not trenching up the street or sidewalks, one could expect to run into unforeseen difficulties under the ground,” says Bernie Tessier, CEO, New England Pipe Restoration. “However, the value of not tearing up property and keeping your commitments to the residents and business owners is vital.”
The renovations will be paid for by new businesses in the area as well as current businesses undergoing expansion. Existing businesses sans expansion project will not be financially affected.
Baily claims to have lost about 25% of business during the most stringent construction activities. However, her business has now returned back to normal.
“We want everyone to remember we’re still open during construction,” she said.
