The City of Windsor is investing $ 8.5 million in rehabilitation of centuries-old sewer pipes on Sandwich Street to minimize disruption to the historic district.
The unique project, announced Thursday morning by Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, will clean and repair more than two miles of plumbing and storm sewers between Rosedale Avenue and Ojibway Parkway using a “less disruptive” and “low cost” relining method.
“Those tools that are on the table … [allow us] to redesign the existing sewer infrastructure without digging, without having to excavate the entire road, “explained Dilkens at the press conference on Thursday.
The new project uses existing sewer structures to gain access to the main sewer. According to Dilkens, robotic cameras have already been sent underground to take detailed video recordings of the pipes.
For areas in need of repair, a felt lining is saturated with a resin and inserted into the sewer, which “acts as a new pipe within a pipe,” he said.
Mayor Drew Dilkens says the new lining of the pipes in Sandwich will take around 50 years. The pipe repair project is already underway and is expected to be completed in September 2021 (Dale Molnar / CBC).
Dilkens said the project will rehabilitate the aging pipes but also “reduce the amount of open cutting … minimize the impact on traffic, emergency services, real estate, residents, businesses and pedestrians in the area. We will also see less dust.” , less noise, significantly less surface restoration and the potential to damage other infrastructure. “
According to the city, the works will reduce the amount of clean rainwater entering the sewer system, increase pipe capacity and reduce the risk of local basement flooding.
City engineer Mark Winterton said the technology used in this project has been used multiple times by the city in difficult dig sites where pipes are less efficient. He added the process is not quick and is expected to be completed in September 2021.
It also sets up future work in the region.
“Much of the work outlined in the canal master plan is off Sandwich Street, so the back streets are being held back and additional capacity is provided in the adjacent corridors,” said Winterton.
The relining method also reduces the possibility of encountering “archaeological problems” in the historical neighborhood. Dilkens said additional pipes need to be reconstructed in the area, which will require some digging. He said the city plans to do this job while other road works are going on and with an archaeologist on site.
Ward 2 Coun. Fabio Costante said he was excited to see the improvements on Sandwich Street, especially since they are being done in a minimally disruptive manner.
The less disruptive “relining” method uses trenchless no-dig technologies. Instead of digging up the road, the crews will use existing sewer structures to gain access to the main canal. For areas in need of repair, a felt lining is saturated with a resin and inserted into the sewer. (Dale Molnar / CBC)
“This important corridor in Station 2 serves the families who live and work in the area and acts as a liaison point for those traveling in and out of the city center. I am pleased that we can complete this work with minimal disruption for residents and commuters, while laying the groundwork for future improvements, “said Costante.
The sewer works will be carried out ahead of the upcoming improvements planned by the Windsor Detroit Bridge Authority and Bridging North America groups in connection with the construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
Work to be done includes new curbs, sidewalks, pathways, new sidewalks, bike paths and street design along the same stretch of Sandwich Street.
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