Old Greenwich Common Force Main Replacement Project To Continue

GREENWICH, CT — The Board of Selectmen on Thursday granted approval for a road closure and detour so that the third segment of the Old Greenwich Common Force Main project can get started on Monday, Aug. 16.

The project involves the replacement of approximately 4,000 feet of sanitary sewer force main. The main picks up the sewer flow from the Old Greenwich pump station on West End Avenue, and continues along Summit Avenue to Oval Avenue and connects to an existing piece of force main near the exit of the Riverside train station.

The project is part of a consent decree administered by the Department of Justice, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP). This third segment is the last that's required to be rehabilitated by the consent decree.

Rich Feminella, Greenwich Wastewater Division Manager in the Sewer Division, went before the board on Thursday for the request.

"The work on the project will require a combination of periods of work where we'd be able to maintain alternating two way traffic in one lane of the road through the use of the Greenwich police detail, with periods of temporary daytime full road closure and detour," Feminella explained.

This latest segment is divided into six work zones that begin on Oval Avenue and head east. All work in each zone is expected to take three to four weeks to complete, depending on weather and any unforeseen circumstances. Work will begin at 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. At the end of each work day, temporary road plates or temporary asphalt will be utilized to reopen the road for overnight use.

Work Zone 1 is located on Oval Avenue between Lake Drive and the intersection with Terrace Avenue. A detour would utilize Terrace Avenue, and Riverside Road to Riverside Avenue. Feminella said the contractor was ready to begin work as early as Friday, Aug. 13.

Work Zone 2 is also on Oval Avenue between Terrace Avenue and Summit Avenue. Work is anticipated to start at the end of August or early September.

Work Zone 3 is on Summit Avenue between Oval Avenue and Spruce Street No. 2. Work should begin mid-to-late September.

Work Zones 4-5 will utilize alternating two-way traffic with the use of one lane with the police detail, Feminella said.

Work Zone 6 is from the intersection between Summit Avenue, to West End Avenue and Arch Street near the railroad bridge. Work could begin some time in October.

First Selectman Fred Camillo asked Feminella if there has been any coordination with schools in the area about the work, since construction will coincide with the beginning of the school year.

Feminella said the Department of Public Works will be in touch with the schools shortly. He added that DPW sent out information fliers to residents in the work zones back in June, and posted information on the town website and shared details with the Riverside Neighborhood Association. He said Renee Wallace, DPWs communications specialist, will post updates on social media. Information will also be disseminated in Camillo's weekly newsletter.

Selectperson Jill Oberlander was displeased with the fact that Feminella came before the board on Aug. 12 for approval, and that work could begin as early as Aug. 13.

"I will vote for the approval of this work, however I don't think it's adequate notice to the residents, the afternoon of the 12th, to tell them you're going to start work on the 13th. I would ask that you take a look at your schedule and adjust it because I think residents might be concerned that they didn't get any notice that you're about to start major construction," she said. "They knew a couple of months ago perhaps, but it's a different story when you're actually beginning the work outside their door. To come for approval on the 12th for work to start on the 13th is a little bit of a quick turnaround."

Feminella said he understood, and would take note of Oberlander's suggestion. On Friday, DPW announced that work will commence on Monday, Aug. 16.

Selectwoman Lauren Rabin agreed with Oberlander, and noted that people could be on vacation and "may be coming back this weekend to something they didn't expect."

With that, the board voted unanimously to approve the road closure and detour request. For more information on the project, click here.