14┃ Colorado Public Works Journal Growing populations in the Colorado Front Range have started to create unique challenges for many public works departments. Among these many challenges is the need to replace aging or undersized infrastructure within the urbanized area. The City of Westminster recently completed a substantial project that exemplifies the value of creative thinking, collaboration and strategy in replacing or upgrading infrastructure in the urban corridor. Improvements to Westminster’s Big Dry Creek sanitary sewer interceptor were critical for allowing the city to move forward with planned development, while also providing sustainable and resilient sewer service to Westminster residents. The $32 Millon project was incredibly successful but had plenty of challenges to overcome on the way to success. The Problem The city’s Big Dry Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility (BDCWWTF) is the primary facility for treating wastewater in Westminster. Two-thirds of the city’s wastewater is delivered to this facility using the Big Dry Creek sanitary sewer interceptor system, with the remaining 1/3 treated at Metro Water Recovery. The interceptor runs from Standley Lake near 100th and Wadsworth to near 128th and Huron. When the line was originally installed, much of the area was undeveloped, and construction through the area was much less complicated. Today, most of the line weaves through neighborhoods and across busy roads. It also crosses through designated open space that is crisscrossed with utility infrastructure. The most challenging of the infrastructure to work around – the raw water supply line for the cities of Northglenn and Thornton. This is the problem that offered the greatest opportunity for collaboration, innovation and unique problem solving. City of Westminster – Big Dry Creek Sanitary Sewer Interceptor Rehabilitation Tamara Moon The Players Westminster was not alone in the development and implementation of the Big Dry Creek sanitary sewer interceptor rehabilitation project. The project was truly a collaborative, multi-agency effort. Design of the project was done by HDR, Inc. HDR’s team was also tasked with assisting Westminster in developing a strong communications plan. The plan developed by HDR established strong lines of communication and education for the public. Project Manager, Rudy Archuleta said, “HDR’s public information plan had a substantial impact to the success of the project. The plan kept communication with the public at the staff level, reducing the need to escalate concern to city management and keep the project moving forward.” The design for rehabilitation developed by HDR was put into action by T. Lowell Construction, Inc (T.Lowell) and C&L Water Solutions (C&L). T.Lowell was the contractor selected to perform the open cut construction, largely through Westminster’s City Park. Images: © City of Westminster
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