The water main crew on Kensington appeared poised to reach the intersection with Oxford Place by days end. As of late afternoon, we did not expect them to break into the intersection simply because of the complications that intersections bring.
If you have some time when the crews are going past your home, take the opportunity to watch them at work. The heavy machine operators are uniquely skilled and capable of alot of finese work with such large equipment. The crew members excell at their duties as well. Imagine a water service line to a house, a gas line service to a house both cutting perpendicular to the path you want to take, yet, they dig around those obstructions with such precision to be laying a new water main within a 1/4 and 1/2 inch of the proper elevation. Nothing short of amazing.
In addition to the water main work on Kensington, the other crew today worked on laying water main in both directions off Kensington in Woodland Circle and into Cambridge. By late afternoon, that crew was back down at Fisk place continuing the storm sewer installation. That work was delayed while waiting for the proper 45-degree pipe to be built and delivered. But, it arrived this afternoon and they were able to continue with their storm sewer installation.
OK, now some good news for those of you on Fisk Place. The Road Crew is going to start on the rehabilitation of Fisk Place. Just so you understand, this does NOT mean pavement. However, they will be building the road as close to pavement ready as they can. Pavement will still not be coming until June.
Also coming next week for those of you in the 400 block of Kensington will be sewer main and individual residences being reinstated to the new water main.
The next segment of water main from the mid 300 block, up to Cambridge/Woodland Circle was also filled with water. They still need to get heir clean water tests yet on this section.
One more day of work upcoming. One crew left today. The other water main crew will break into Oxford Place tomorrow and then continue into the 200 block south of Oxford. This means that inbound traffic on Oxford will really have no place to go except to turn around and leave the Village and make entry at another point. For Friday, dont anticipate being able to enter the Village via Oxford.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Day 17; Wed 4/21
On Wednesday, crews worked in the areas predicted. Storm sewer crew on Fisk was able to make connections to the new storm line by adding inlets and pipe extensions where needed.
The water main crew had a challenging exercise navigating through the Kensington intersection with Cambridge and Woodland Circle. Part of what makes this intersection difficult to navigate is the amount of services that are within the intersection. Multiple combinations of existing water main, storm line and sanitary sewer, and each of them merging with connections or coming in from different directions, makes it difficult to install new services like a water main. We also need to save room for that large storm pipe to come through this intersection yet!! In short, we are using virtually all of the underground capacity of the roadway. Remember, the old "stuff" like water mains, will be abandoned in place. Many years from now (like 75+) when these projects have to be done again, they will need to really clean house underground!!
On Thursday, look for water main to continue into the 200 block and possibly storm sewer in the 300 block of Kensington.
The water main crew had a challenging exercise navigating through the Kensington intersection with Cambridge and Woodland Circle. Part of what makes this intersection difficult to navigate is the amount of services that are within the intersection. Multiple combinations of existing water main, storm line and sanitary sewer, and each of them merging with connections or coming in from different directions, makes it difficult to install new services like a water main. We also need to save room for that large storm pipe to come through this intersection yet!! In short, we are using virtually all of the underground capacity of the roadway. Remember, the old "stuff" like water mains, will be abandoned in place. Many years from now (like 75+) when these projects have to be done again, they will need to really clean house underground!!
On Thursday, look for water main to continue into the 200 block and possibly storm sewer in the 300 block of Kensington.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Day 16; A Day of Good Progress!!
The water main pipe crew was able to install approximately 250 feet of pipe today!! That is great progress. They are just slightly north of the Kensington/Cambridge/Woodland Circle intersection. Early tomorrow, they will be starting with a new hydrant installation and then continuing south from there into the 200 Block.
The storm sewer pipe crew made good progress today as well, basically cover the other half of the block of Fisk Place. For tomorrow, they will be doing additional work at the storm inlet locations on Fisk. This is alot of small, tedious work to complete that storm system.
Please continue to adhere to the efforts to avoid the work zones. Residents have found difficult travels during the work day when the crews have not yet graded or smoothed out the roadway.
For those residents in the 300 block of Kensington Drive or on Woodland Circle, your best ingress/egress tomorrow may be through the MBCC parking lot and out the drive going to Lakewood. Good Luck!!!
The storm sewer pipe crew made good progress today as well, basically cover the other half of the block of Fisk Place. For tomorrow, they will be doing additional work at the storm inlet locations on Fisk. This is alot of small, tedious work to complete that storm system.
Please continue to adhere to the efforts to avoid the work zones. Residents have found difficult travels during the work day when the crews have not yet graded or smoothed out the roadway.
For those residents in the 300 block of Kensington Drive or on Woodland Circle, your best ingress/egress tomorrow may be through the MBCC parking lot and out the drive going to Lakewood. Good Luck!!!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Day 15;
A good question was raised over the weekend after one resident reported "Cloudy Water". First, cloudy water is often an indication of small air bubbles in the water/system. If you recall, a water shut down took place last week and the system was drained to relieve pressure on the pipes/system. When the system was refilled, inevitably, there will be air bubbles, even though care is taken to bleed the system of as much of that air as possible.
If you have cloudy water, fill a glass with that water and give it several minutes to sit idle. Those air bubbles should dissipate and the water will return to it's normal clear appearance.
Both Friday and Monday, water main progress continued southbound on Kensington Drive. Late Monday afternoon, the pipe crew was at or near 317 Kenington Drive. Village crew was also working to begin filling the first segment of new water main. We are far from using that new system as there still needs to be purification of the system and two clean tests, but this is a good sign of progress. On Tuesday, a water main crew will continue southbound from that location; they should reach and get past the intersection with Cambridge/Woodland Circle.
Also on Tuesday, the other pipe crew will arrive back in the Village and we anticipate that they will resume working on storm sewer on Fisk Place. There was a delay while waiting for the other utilities (electric, cable and phone) to bury a service line under the new storm line.
Many of you watching the DNR related holds on place for the Upper Bluff and the storm water pond near the MBCC will be interested to know that the Villages' consultant will soon be taking some action within those sites to further our clearing of those delays. These actions have been awaiting approval and will include test digs and taking of core samples.
If you have cloudy water, fill a glass with that water and give it several minutes to sit idle. Those air bubbles should dissipate and the water will return to it's normal clear appearance.
Both Friday and Monday, water main progress continued southbound on Kensington Drive. Late Monday afternoon, the pipe crew was at or near 317 Kenington Drive. Village crew was also working to begin filling the first segment of new water main. We are far from using that new system as there still needs to be purification of the system and two clean tests, but this is a good sign of progress. On Tuesday, a water main crew will continue southbound from that location; they should reach and get past the intersection with Cambridge/Woodland Circle.
Also on Tuesday, the other pipe crew will arrive back in the Village and we anticipate that they will resume working on storm sewer on Fisk Place. There was a delay while waiting for the other utilities (electric, cable and phone) to bury a service line under the new storm line.
Many of you watching the DNR related holds on place for the Upper Bluff and the storm water pond near the MBCC will be interested to know that the Villages' consultant will soon be taking some action within those sites to further our clearing of those delays. These actions have been awaiting approval and will include test digs and taking of core samples.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Day 11;
So, I reported yesterday of the water needing to be shut off in a few areas of the construction zone. Notice was given to that area last night, either in person or a note was left at the home.
Well, let me tell ya, the best intentions never quite work out. There is a reason why these infrastructure systems are being replaced. About mid morning, as the water is getting shut off, it was recognized that several of the valves that needed to be closed to isolate and turn off the designated area, did not close properly or all the way. This meant that crew members had to move to other valves to actually get the system shut off appropriately.
Unfortunately, this caused additional homes, not anticipated to be in the "shut off zone", to, well, have their water shut off as well...... As all of this is taking place in the field, Village Center office staff were taking the calls. We apologize for the lack of notice for those who suddenly found their property without water. That was unanticipated and will likely change how we notify residents next time..
Once again there was some good progress made today. A lateral tie in to the Kensington water main were made down both Fisk and the northern Woodland Circle. Additional water main continued down Kensington deeper into the 300 block.
One pipe crew left to go back home today (each crew works a 4 day work week--10-12hr days). So, the remaining pipe crew will continue with water main on Kensington Drive tomorrow (Friday).
We continue to get an abundance of non-local traffic trying to make it through the work zones. Please, unless you need to get directly to your home, find a route around the work zones. And share those directions with friends who may be coming to visit.
MG&E is still finishing their relocation of some of their facilities which are on Lakewood, near Fisk. That has kept Lakewood Blvd traffic attentive as they drive through that area.
We are hoping for a productive Friday that may allow for the filling of the first sections of the new water main. There are then two clean bacteria tests that must be accomplished and then, the crews will begin attaching homes to the new main. This of course is the short version of where we are heading in fairly short order. So, stay tuned and we will keep working.
Well, let me tell ya, the best intentions never quite work out. There is a reason why these infrastructure systems are being replaced. About mid morning, as the water is getting shut off, it was recognized that several of the valves that needed to be closed to isolate and turn off the designated area, did not close properly or all the way. This meant that crew members had to move to other valves to actually get the system shut off appropriately.
Unfortunately, this caused additional homes, not anticipated to be in the "shut off zone", to, well, have their water shut off as well...... As all of this is taking place in the field, Village Center office staff were taking the calls. We apologize for the lack of notice for those who suddenly found their property without water. That was unanticipated and will likely change how we notify residents next time..
Once again there was some good progress made today. A lateral tie in to the Kensington water main were made down both Fisk and the northern Woodland Circle. Additional water main continued down Kensington deeper into the 300 block.
One pipe crew left to go back home today (each crew works a 4 day work week--10-12hr days). So, the remaining pipe crew will continue with water main on Kensington Drive tomorrow (Friday).
We continue to get an abundance of non-local traffic trying to make it through the work zones. Please, unless you need to get directly to your home, find a route around the work zones. And share those directions with friends who may be coming to visit.
MG&E is still finishing their relocation of some of their facilities which are on Lakewood, near Fisk. That has kept Lakewood Blvd traffic attentive as they drive through that area.
We are hoping for a productive Friday that may allow for the filling of the first sections of the new water main. There are then two clean bacteria tests that must be accomplished and then, the crews will begin attaching homes to the new main. This of course is the short version of where we are heading in fairly short order. So, stay tuned and we will keep working.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Day Ten; Water to be Shut off Thursday Morning
After a rough start to the week, I have alot of positive energy regarding todays work and the momentum that is picking up.
I must first let you know of a Water Shut off period scheduled for Thursday, 4/15. The areas to be affected include:
I must first let you know of a Water Shut off period scheduled for Thursday, 4/15. The areas to be affected include:
- 300 and 400 Block of Kensington
- Fisk Place
- A segment ofWoodland Circle
The contractor was going door to door tonight to inform residents directly affected by this water disruption for tomorrow morning. If you were not home, they were going to be leaving a written notice. We apologize for the inconvenience, but necessary evils in the course of construction.
Thursday will be continued work on Kensington Water Main and Fisk Storm Sewer. The Fisk Storm line had a slight redirection this morning as the contractor had to pull out two segments due to unplanned conflicts with their route. Those segments were re-laid and progress continued. They are almost at the half way point of the Fisk block. On Kensington Water Main, they have progressed to the intersection of Fisk/Kensington.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Day 9; Progress
The schedule for the construction company is that one pipe crew works Mon-Thur; another works Tues-Fri. This will always keep a crew in Village and progress will continue. Our Construction company, A-1 is from outside of the Madison area so their crews are staying over night in a local hotel.
Anyway, we had two pipe crews today working. The focus for ater main continued on the 400 block of Kensington; the other crew was working on Storm Sewer installation on Fisk Place at Lakewood Blvd.
For those persons who thought about trying to get through these areas, they soon found sections of road completely impassable. In trying to understand their work operations, I think you should plan that if/when they are in a specific area, we may find that route completely impassable. You may be able to drive up real close to where they are working, but you may not be able to get through.
That said, traffic signs indicate "No Thru Traffic"; yet, I ran into several drivers today who were trying to take Kensington to Fisk Place to go into the Upper Bluff, and another person trying to access the MBCC via Kensington. As they got close enough, they were soon turning around to go back. Save yourself the hassle and stay away from the active work zones.
For tomorrow, I think you can expect similar work. Water main coming down Kensington is approaching the Woodland Circle/Fisk Place intersection. Sewer main is still coning down Fisk, not far from Lakewood. Anticipate both of those areas being virtually impassable for tomorrow.
Anyway, we had two pipe crews today working. The focus for ater main continued on the 400 block of Kensington; the other crew was working on Storm Sewer installation on Fisk Place at Lakewood Blvd.
For those persons who thought about trying to get through these areas, they soon found sections of road completely impassable. In trying to understand their work operations, I think you should plan that if/when they are in a specific area, we may find that route completely impassable. You may be able to drive up real close to where they are working, but you may not be able to get through.
That said, traffic signs indicate "No Thru Traffic"; yet, I ran into several drivers today who were trying to take Kensington to Fisk Place to go into the Upper Bluff, and another person trying to access the MBCC via Kensington. As they got close enough, they were soon turning around to go back. Save yourself the hassle and stay away from the active work zones.
For tomorrow, I think you can expect similar work. Water main coming down Kensington is approaching the Woodland Circle/Fisk Place intersection. Sewer main is still coning down Fisk, not far from Lakewood. Anticipate both of those areas being virtually impassable for tomorrow.
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