2023 Water System Improvements
Project Status
Click here to see status updates.
Project Details/Neighborhood
60th Ave SE (SE 27th to SE 32nd), 62nd Ave SE & 73rd Ave SE (SE 24th to SE 27th), 74th Ave SE (north of SE 27th), 7400 block NMW, 7600 block SE 37th Pl, 7600 block SE 41st, & 7800 block SE 42nd Pl).
Background
Improving and renewing the City’s water system is necessary to preserve public health, protect water quality, and provide reliable service. This also helps prevent unexpected system breakdowns and expensive emergency repairs. Taking a proactive approach to replacing critical components such as water mains strengthens the system’s reliability to serve its customers. This project furthers the goals outlined in the City's Water System Plan.
Description
This project replaces 8,000 linear feet of undersized 4-inch and 6-inch cast iron water mains with 8-inch ductile iron water mains. Fire hydrants, water services, and other water system components will also be upgraded and replaced as part of the project.
Project Timeline (Target Completion Date)
Planning/Design (Q3 of 2022 – Q2 of 2023)
Under Construction (Q2 of 2023– Q2 of 2024)
Completed (Q3 of 2024)
Estimated Budget
$4,684,000
Contact
George Fletcher, CIP Project Manager
Status Updates
July 2024
Photo Caption: Paving SE 41st St.
Construction activities on this project reached substantial completion in June, with the repaving of SE 41st Street. Currently, the contractor is addressing punch list items across all of the project’s locations, which consist of minor tasks needed to bring the work to a close. The project has been completed under budget and within the scheduled timeframe.
May 16, 2024
Kar-Vel Construction crews completed two water main abandonments this week along North Mercer Way to retire over 1500 feet of 4” and 6” cast iron and asbestos cement water mains that have been in service since the 1950s. Over the past two months, crews have switched all the water services and fire hydrants in this area over to a 16” main, allowing for these older smaller mains to be abandoned.
April 18, 2024
Last week the final water main connection was completed to tie in the new mains on 74th Ave SE to the City’s water system. The contractor also completed permanent asphalt patching on portions of North Mercer Way and 74th Ave SE and completed a portion of water main installation on SE 37th Place. Over the next two weeks, the contractor is scheduled to perform restoration at these sites and work on installing new water main on SE 41st Street.
February 29, 2024
Due to weather, this permanent trench restoration paving has been postponed to a later date.
Water Main Shutdown
Date: February 29, 2024 (Thursday) Time: 8:30 AM—5:00 PM Location: SE 24th St and 74th Ave SE
Residents in affected neighborhoods have received project notification. Copies of the notification can be viewed here.
February 27, 2024
Weather permitting, prep and paving to restore the roadway of the East Seattle Neighborhood (work on 60th Ave SE from SE 27th St. south to SE 32nd St, 62nd Ave SE from Se 24th St. to SE 27th St.) will begin on Thursday, February 29th. This will be a permanent patch restoration. Please expect some travel delays in these areas as well as heavy equipment presence and truck traffic. Flaggers will continue to maintain one lane of traffic during work hours from 7:00 AM to 5:00.
February 26, 2024
Progress continues on 60th and 62nd Avenues in the East Seattle neighborhood, as well as along 74th Avenue just west of the Town Center. Crews have made additional water main connections along 60th Avenue to tie the new main into the City’s water system network and leak testing is currently underway at the 74th Avenue location. Asphalt patching work along 60th Avenue is scheduled for next week, pending weather conditions.
February 15, 2024 (Thursday)
Time: 8:30 AM—5:00 PM
Location: 60th Ave SE and SE 28th St.
A water main shutdown is scheduled for Thursday February 15th. Residents in affected neighborhoods have received project notification. Copies of the notification can be viewed here.
February 9, 2024
Photo 1: 4 inch fire line re-connection
Photo 2: New valve cluster and tee
Water service lines and water main connections are continuing along 60th Ave SE this week and next. Several more connections are needed this month to completely tie the new main into the City’s water system. The second crew for Kar-Vel, working on 74th Ave SE, is completing water main and water service installations as well. Our mild winter weather is allowing the contractor to make great progress on this project.
February 6, 2024
A water main shutdown is scheduled for Tuesday February 13th. Residents in affected neighborhoods have received project notification. Copies of the notification can be viewed here.
Date: February 13, 2024 (Tuesday)
Time: 8:30 AM—5:00 PM
Location: 60th Ave SE and SE 30th St.
January 25, 2024
Photo: 60th Ave SE watermain install
Kar-Vel Construction has installed all the mainline piping on 60th Avenue SE. Their first connection of the new main to the City’s water system occurred on January 11, 2024. Currently, they are working on switching customer water service lines over to the new water main along 60th Avenue. Additional water main connections and shutdowns are expected to continue into February. New water main is also being installed on 62nd Avenue SE in the 2400 block.
Kar-Vel has started a second crew on 74th Avenue SE, near SE 24th Street, working to install new 8” ductile iron water main, starting from north of SE 24th Street and heading south. Work at this location should last until early March, then move to the 7400 block of North Mercer Way, where they will begin installing water service upgrades and new fire hydrants.
January 18, 2024
A water main shutdown is scheduled for Thursday January 25th. Residents in affected neighborhoods have received project notification. Copies of the notification can be viewed here.
Date: January 25, 2024 (Thursday)
Time: 8:30 AM—5:00 PM
Location: West Mercer Way & SE 32nd St.
January 18, 2024
*SCHEDULED WATER MAIN SHUTDOWN POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER*
Due to recent weather events around the Puget Sound Area over the last couple of days, the contractor could not get their equipment defrosted in a timely manner this morning to perform the work in the time allowed. We will reschedule this work for next week and send out another postcard.
Thanks for your understanding,
George
January 1, 2024
A water main shutdown is scheduled for Thursday January 18th. Residents in affected neighborhoods have received project notification. Copies of the notification can be viewed here.
Date: January 18, 2024 (Thursday)
Time: 8:30 AM—5:00 PM
Location: West Mercer Way & SE 32nd St.
January 8, 2024
The City’s water utility contractor (Kar-Vel Construction) will start a second crew for construction of the second schedule (B) under the 2023 Water System Improvements at 7400 block of N. Mercer Way and 2200 Block of 74th Ave SE moving south to SE 27th Ave SE starting January 8th, 2024. There will be planned water main shutdowns, but more notice will be given when we get closer to those impacts. Please expect some travel delays in these areas as well as some heavy equipment and truck traffic. Flaggers will continue to maintain one lane of traffic during 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM work hours.
December 2023
Photo 1: New Water Services on 60th Ave
Photo 2: Fire Hydrant Install on 60th Ave
The City’s contractor, Kar-Vel construction is currently installing fire hydrants and water service lines on 60th Avenue SE in the East Seattle neighborhood (Schedule A). They will also be temporarily patching their utility trenches and pavement cuts. No construction activities are planned for the week of December 25th. Crews will resume work after January 2nd and will finish up water services and start connecting the new water main into the City’s water system.
Week of October 16th, 2023
The City’s water utility contractor (Kar-Vel Construction) will start construction of the 2023 Water System Improvements within the East Seattle neighborhood (work on 60th Ave SE from SE 27th st. south to SE 32nd St, 62nd Ave SE from Se 24th St. to SE 27th St.) starting Monday October 16th. There will be planned water main shutdowns, but more notice will be given when we get closer to those impacts. Please expect some travel delays in these areas as well as some heavy equipment and truck traffic. Flaggers will continue to maintain one lane of traffic during 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM work hours.
September 2023
Kar-Vel Construction is scheduled to start construction of the 2023 Water System Improvement project near the end of September. They plan to start on 60th Ave SE, between SE 27th St and SE 32nd st. and 62nd Ave SE, between SE 24th St. and SE 27th St. Both these locations are on the project map. During construction, there will be one lane closed with flaggers alternating traffic flow.
July 2023
Five construction bids were received on June 29th. Renton based Kar-Vel Construction submitted the low bid of $3,584,335, approximately 2.5% below the engineer’s estimate. The City Council is scheduled to award this project to Kar-Vel at their July 18, 2023 meeting. Construction is anticipated to start in late August 2023.
February 2023
This project is in the design phase with an internal review set for the 50% design. This project is scheduled to advertise for bids in Late April 2023 and go to construction as soon as materials can be procured.
Planning/Design Q4 2022
Survey and Mapping to begin in September 2022. Axis Survey and Mapping consultant is contracted to perform the work.
Project Location (2 MB) Design Notification (826 KB) Schedule A mailer 8.5.23 (923 KB) Construction Notification 1.18.24 (314 KB) Construction Notification 1.25.24 (314 KB) Construction Notification 2.13.24 (459 KB)