Pea Ridge Creek Sanitary Sewer Improvements

Two upcoming sanitary sewer capacity projects are planned along the Pea Ridge Creek in north Springfield. Both projects are aimed at reducing the number of sanitary sewer overflows in the area by Doling_PeaRidge8x11 Opens in new windowincreasing the size and capacity of underground sewer pipes. The projects will also provide capacity for any future growth and development in the area.

Springfield Environmental Services uses a variety of rehabilitation and maintenance methods to help repair and extend the life of Springfield’s sanitary sewer system. However, repeated cases of sanitary sewer overflows in the Pea Ridge Creek area indicate capacity issues that warrant construction to improve service and protect public health in the area.

The City is under an amended consent judgement with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to eliminate sanitary sewer overflows. The City’s Overflow Control Plan was revised in early 2021 to establish a supplementary plan and timeline for investment in improving Springfield’s aging sanitary sewer system.   

Sanitary sewer improvements around Pea Ridge Creek are anticipated for construction beginning in June of 2023. The combined cost of the projects is estimated at $6.8 million and will be funded using sanitary sewer reserve funds as outlined in the Supplemental Overflow Control Plan approved by City Council in April, 2021.

  

About the Projects

Pea Ridge Sanitary Sewer Project

The Pea Ridge Sanitary Sewer Project will follow along the north fork of the Pea Ridge Creek roughly between Heritage Avenue and National Avenue. The project will replace approximately 5,500 feet of an existing 12-inch sanitary sewer main with a new 24-inch pipe. About 1,200 feet of 18-inch main will also be added to run parallel with an existing pipe.

Pea Ridge Project Overview

Pea Ridge Exhibit

Doling Park Sanitary Sewer Project 

The Doling Park Sanitary Sewer Project will join with the Pea Ridge project near Heritage Avenue and will run south along the Doling Branch of Pea Ridge Creek into Doling Park. The project will replace roughly 6,873 linear feet of existing sanitary sewer main with larger diameter pipe ranging from 18 to 30 inches in diameter. It will also include a 42 inch diameter, 596 linear foot bore under I-44. 

Doling Park Project Overview

Doling Park Sanitary Sewer _Overall Plan

What are Sanitary Sewer Overflows?

The goal of these projects is to increase sewage capacity and reduce sanitary sewer overflows to improve service and protect public health in the area. The projects will also provide capacity for future growth and development.

Springfield operates a sanitary sewer system that is separate from the stormwater drainage system. The sanitary sewer collects wastewater from homes and businesses and carries it to one of two treatment plants where it is cleaned and then released back into local streams.

Rainwater can seep into the sanitary sewer system through cracks caused by age 

or tree roots. Sometimes during rainfall events, the system gets too full, causing untreated wastewater to overflow from manholes. Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs) can also happen during dry weather, when major clogs form from tree roots, grease, wipes, and other items that don’t belong in the system.

Environmental Services uses a variety of methods to help repair and extend the life of Springfield’s aging sewer system and reduce overflows. Springfield is under an amended consent judgement with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to eliminate sanitary sewer overflows. The City’s Overflow Control Plan was revised in early 2021 to establish a supplementary plan and timeline for investment in improving Springfield’s aging sanitary sewer system.


What to Expect:

Construction on the Doling portion of the project is expected to begin with the bore under I-44 and then progress to the shared connection point with the Pea Ridge project near Maranatha.  Construction would then continue south toward the Doling Park.  Doling is a 365-calendar day project. 


Roadway Impacts: 

Doling Project – 1-2 day closure  of Norton Road for installation of sanitary sewer crossing. The bore under I-44 is not anticipated to impact traffic on the highway. 

Pea Ridge Project – Construction is planned to begin at the downstream tie-in with the Doling Park portion of the project. It will then extend east with a road bore under Heritage Avenue. Vernon Road and North National Avenue will be closed for 2-5 days for the installation of underground pipe crossing the roadway. 

Doling Park and Greenway Trail Impacts: 

Construction is not expected to reach Park property until late Fall 2023/Early Winter 2024.  When construction reaches park property, the walking trail loop located north of the pond will be closed at the pedestrian foot bridge located east of the pond. It will remain closed until clean-up and removing trip hazards is completed.  The parking lot southwest of the pond will be partially closed during construction and a sidewalk from the north side of that parking lot to the west side of the pond will be closed during construction.  Temporary construction fencing and signage will be placed around the work areas within the park to prevent access by foot traffic.

Sanitary Sewer Service Impacts:

Minimal impacts are expected. Existing sanitary sewer mains will remain in service. Sewer service to individual households may be impacted for a few hours as household lateral sewer lines are moved over to new sewer mains. Homeowners will be notified of possible impacts as soon as details are available.


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