Water main work underneath University Boulevard may disrupt traffic for the next few weeks as crews work to rehabilitate an underground pipe that provides water to the University of Denver campus and surrounding area.
Denver Water Project Engineer Jon Fischer says prep work will begin by July 6, and crews will be digging along University Boulevard within a week after that. Work, extending from Iliff Avenue to Buchtel Boulevard, won’t cause major water service disruptions, but motorists can expect lane closures through the end of July and potentially into August.
DU plumbing shop Foreman Don Auman says there may be some brief water disruptions, but his crews will try to schedule those to limit inconvenience. Denver Water is coordinating its work with DU, Auman says.
Fischer says residents and workers in the area will notice temporary, above-ground water pipes placed along University Boulevard, and water may come out of the tap slightly warmer than consumers are used to, due to heating by the sun. But, he says, the water is safe to drink and the pipes are disinfected and monitored.
Fischer says a California-based contractor will be cleaning and inspecting the 8-inch main that runs under the east side of University Boulevard, then applying a mortar sealant inside, rehabilitating and strengthening the nearly 100-year-old main. In addition, Denver Water will add fire hydrants in the area to increase capacity due to recent construction.
Work will be restricted to 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. weekdays and all lanes will be open for rush hour traffic. During work periods, however, lanes may be closed so crews can access the underground main. The goal is to complete work by the end of July, but there is always the chance unexpected conditions could push completion into early August, Fischer says.