Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, November 15, 1993 TAG: 9311150025
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
But it is a large and long line - nearly 13 miles.
And it's wreaking havoc for motorists in several areas of Roanoke: Hollins Road Northeast, Main Street Southwest and Riverland Road Southeast.
Traffic snarls might get worse before they get better. In the next year, the project will cause even more inconvenience.
Construction crews are installing a major water transmission line from the Carvins Cove filter plant to the Crystal Spring pump station near Roanoke Memorial Hospital. They won't finish until early 1995.
The trunk line, 36 inches wide where it begins, and the tie-ins to other lines will cost $15 million.
It's part of a $30 million project that will expand the Carvins Cove treatment plant and improve the water distribution system, including some existing lines such as those along Main Street Southwest.
The contractors are trying to reduce traffic delays by having only 1/10th of a mile under construction at a time. But traffic is still limited to one lane in the construction area.
The new trunk line will generally parallel an existing line from the treatment plant to Crystal Spring. It is needed to help improve water pressure, particularly in the Southeast section of the city.
As the demand for water has increased, the city has experienced pressure problems, especially during summer.
No crises have occurred, but officials have lived with the anxiety. "It will be good not to have all of our eggs in one basket," said Kit Kiser, director of utilities and operations.
The new line also will provide a backup system in the event that an accident or other mishap breaks the old line.
This is the first major water project for the city in 40 years.
The capacity of the Carvins Cove filter plant will be expanded from 18 million to 28 million gallons a day.
The city also has two other sources of water: the Falling Creek filter plant has a capacity of 1.5 million gallons and Crystal Spring produces 3.5 million gallons day.
When the project is finished, the city will have a supply of 33 million gallons a day. Water use now reaches 23 million gallons on some summer days.
The new trunk line has been divided into five contracts to help get a lower price because of increased competition by bidders. Work already has started on three contracts and a fourth will begin soon.
Work has been under way since summer on the expansion of the water filter plant.
The project also will include several new water storage tanks and construction of a 4-million gallon storage tank at the filter plant.
Additional pumps will be installed to help boost the water to higher elevations and maintain adequate pressure.
The route of the new transmission line will cross the right of way for streets and city property in many places. But the city was forced to buy property and easements at other locations.
The pipeline, which is made of ductile iron, is buried at least 3 feet deep, Kiser said.
City officials are asking motorists to be patient.
"I know it is an aggravation to motorists. It's like a moving congested area, but we are requiring the contractors to maintain one lane of traffic," Kiser said.
by CNB