Work is scheduled to begin on a $414,000 sanitary sewer rehabilitation project in the Timber Lane area of Rosenberg, and city officials are warning residents that much of the work will take place in their backyards.
The city’s contractor, PM Construction, was given notice Feb. 19 to proceed with the project, and most of the public utility easements containing the lines are located in the back of the properties.
The funds for the project were secured through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and are being used to improve more than 9,300 linear feet of lines in the area, many of which have been in the ground for more than 45 years. Work on the project is expected to begin immediately, and contractually, must be completed by July 16, weather-permitting.
The Timber Lane sanitary sewer rehabilitation project will include sewer lines in the area bounded by Highway 90A to the West, Wilson to the North, Land Drive to the East and Sally Anne to the South, as well as lines in the alley between Carlisle Street and Mulcahy Street from Avenue L to Walger Street. The project’s purpose is to improve the flow in these lines, and a trench-less rehabilitation method is being used to minimize excavation at the construction site.
The rehabilitation project could include the following elements: cleaning and televising the existing lines; slip-lining/pipe-bursting to install the new pipe inside existing lines; excavations to reconnect lines from the residence or repair main sewer; occasionally, installing new manholes or rehabilitating existing manholes; removing and restoring fence sections to gain access to backyard public utility easements; smoke testing the sewer main or service lines to ensure their proper connection (non-toxic smoke can enter homes if the private pipes are cracked or not sealed); and surface sodding or planting to reasonably restore public easements upon completion of work.
In instances where access will be required through a fence or gate, the contractor will ask that animals are temporarily secured and that gates remain unlocked on the dates listed on the door hanger. Additionally, residents will be asked to keep water usage to a minimum during working hours, so that service lines can be properly reconnected to the main sewer. Work will occur from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 9:30 a.m.- 6 p.m. Saturday.
The project will be completed in multiple phases, and PM Construction will be distributing detailed door hangers to affected residents as the project progresses. These door hangers will include on-site contractor contact information. City officials said contractors will be readily identifiable, and should be willing and able to produce identification upon request. Residents are reminded to exercise caution during this period however, and to contact the Police Department at 832-595-3700 should there be any uncertainty related to the identification of individuals in the area.
Questions can be directed to the Citizen Relations Coordinator at 832-595-3301.
