COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — A major water valve replacement project in Colorado Springs is leaving some businesses without water.
Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) started the second phase of the Academy Corridor Water Valve Replacement Project, which aims to enhance water service reliability by installing several valves on water mains. These will be near the intersection of North Academy Boulevard and Austin Bluffs Parkway.
WATCH: Part one of the North Academy water valve project is now finished
Officials say they need to shut the water off to at least six nearby homes and businesses. They originally though it would be 60.
CSU says they have been working with those businesses, which are mainly restaurants and gas stations to make sure they have access to water. According to CSU, they plan to provide water tanks and portable toilets.
"Very concerted effort with restaurants and others where water is part of their dependency, there's a dog groomer on the other side, making sure that they still have what they need to function," said Somer Mese, Chief Operations Officer with CSU.
CSU leaders tell News5 their biggest concern with this project is traffic.
"Every intersection will have some lane closure, so just... think ahead before you leave," said Mese. "If you take an alternate route do so, plan the extra time. You'll be in a cone zone so be aware of that, slow down. Be cognizant of the other drives so everyone is safe and gets to where they need to be at the end of the day."
CSU says the project will help them respond faster to any issues that may happen with water lines.
The valves will mitigate unplanned water outages in the future. The plan was put into effect in March 2021 after a water main break.
The project schedule is below:
North Academy Boulevard:
- April 10 - April 22: preparatory work
- Early morning of April 23 - early morning of April 26: water valve installations
- May 2 - May 3: road restoration
Austin Bluffs Parkway:
- May 4 - May 13: preparatory work
- Early morning of May 14 - early morning of May 17: water valve installations
- May 24 - June 5: road restoration
This project will also force several road closures. The closures will be in all directions of North Academy Boulevard, and Austin Buffs Parkway. Turns onto side streets will be heavily impacted, please follow all posted signage in the area.
Crews will also be present in the area, so it is advised to drive carefully and slowly when driving in the area.
Maps of the traffic delays can be found here.
During the process, there can be expected water outages in the area for business customers, but no residential customers will be affected.
The outages will occur on several different dates including:
- Apr. 23 to Apr. 26
- May 14 to May 17
During the outages, crews will be working 24 hours to accelerate the process and minimize the outage times. They also report there may be unplanned outages during the project if certain factors arise.
Residential customers are asked to minimize their water consumption during the outages as well. Please avoid:
- Hold off on watering lawns.
- Avoid using water for cleaning outdoor surfaces or washing vehicles.
- Limit any non-essential activities that typically consume large amounts of water.
CSU thanks those for their cooperation during this integral water improvement project.____
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