Howell Avenue Water Relay Project To Begin In Oak Creek In April

Press release from the City of Oak Creek:

03/20/2023 9:52 AM

The City of Oak Creek has contracted with A.W. Oakes to begin a water main replacement project, which will take place in four phases scheduled to begin in April 2023 and be completed by September 2023.

As part of its Capital Improvement Program (CIP), the City will be replacing approximately three-quarters of a mile of aging water main on Howell Avenue between E. Groveland Drive, to just north of E. Susan Drive. Installed in 1956, these 12-inch cast iron pipes have reached the end of their service life. Replacing this stretch of water main is critical to reducing the frequency and severity of water main breaks and disruption of service to residents.

Phase One will focus on the intersection of E. Forest Hill Avenue and S. Howell Avenue and will take approximately two weeks to complete. During this phase, traffic will not be able to travel eastbound on E. Forest Hill Avenue from S. Howell Avenue.

Phase Two is expected to begin in mid-April and last approximately 14 weeks. This phase will comprise the bulk of the project, installing the new water main in the northbound curb lane of S. Howell Avenue. During this time, northbound traffic on Howell Avenue will be restricted to one lane from Groveland Avenue to Drexel Avenue. Staggered closures of E. Groveland Drive, E. Forest Hill Avenue, E. Oakfield Drive, and E. Susan Drive will also take place.

Phase Three will include nightly (8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.) closures of Howell Avenue northbound from E. Puetz Road to E. Drexel Avenue. Work in this phase is anticipated to take two weeks, beginning in late July, with a detour route established to follow state highways. Traffic will be diverted from northbound Howell Avenue at Ryan Road (STH 100) to S. 27th Street (STH 241) and back along W. Drexel Avenue. During the day, one lane will be open northbound on Howell Avenue.
Phase Four will focus on connecting the new system and abandoning the old water main. This phase is anticipated to take two weeks, starting in August. Northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane during this time.

Project status updates will be available on the Oak Creek Water & Sewer Utility's webpage.

This press release was produced by the City of Oak Creek. The views expressed here are the author’s own.