WESTFIELD – The Water Commission approved Tuesday a funding request to relocate a major water line that was impeding the installation of a new stormwater drainage system.
City Engineer Mark Cressotti asked the board to approve funding “up to, but not to exceed” $130,000 to relocate a 12-inch water main, which had to be moved to allow installation of the new stormwater drainage system.
The stormwater drainage is a key element of improving the North Elm and Notre Dame streets intersection which chronically flooded because the water from that intersection was suppose to empty into Powdermill Brook. The problem being remedied is that the brook silted up and is at about the same level as the intersection.
During periods of high flow in the brook water would back up the drain pipe and flood the intersection. That pipe has been blocked to prevent backflow into the intersection.
The other major aspect of the $4.4 million job is to enhance traffic flow through the intersection by installing new dedicated left-turn lanes in both directions on Elm Street at the Notre Dame Street intersection.
North Elm Street is being widened and a new drainage system is being installed.
“As the new drainage was being put it, there was a 12-inch water line in the way and had to be moved,” Cressotti said.
Further damage was discovered while relocating the water main, Cressotti said. The contractor, Baltazar Construction of Ludlow, found a corroded valve that needed to be replaced.
“The Westfield Gas & Electric Department also told us that an electrically charged gas line was sitting on the water main,” Cressotti said. “We had to correct that situation because the electrical charge would increase the rate of corrosion and we didn’t want to be in a position where we’d be digging up a brand new road to replace water lines or valves.
Baltazar is working to complete the current phase of work before Thanksgiving.
“These changes will take about a week,” Cressotti said. “Then Baltazar will put a temporary bituminous coat down for the winter. That asphalt will be removed next spring to complete the scope of work for this traffic improvement project.”
The city is paying for the intersection reconfiguration and stormwater system installation with a $10 million bond approved by the City Council three years ago. Part of the bond funding was used to make improvements to the Arch Road drainage system.
