Harvard Avenue Sanitary Sewer Replacement

Over the winter, Cogeco Cable will be installing a new mainline cable along Harvard Avenue and part of Brian Crescent and new services to properties where the existing has been damaged by construction.

Due to the time of year and to avoid potential damage to the finished product during the utility work, final driveway and boulevard restoration will be completed in the spring.

Driveways that have been previously disturbed to accommodate the sewer construction will be temporarily restored with asphalt in order to make the surface safe for the winter. In the spring, the contractor will return to remove the temporary asphalt and provide the final restoration. Driveways will be restored with the same materials that existed prior to construction (i.e.: concrete with concrete, asphalt with asphalt).

In order to safely replace the sanitary sewer on Harvard Avenue, including the individual sewer services to each home, many of the existing City street trees will have to be trimmed and/or removed prior to construction.

The City of Niagara Falls Forestry Department will be reviewing the street trees in order to determine which trees may be in conflict with the upcoming construction work. The intent will be to maintain or trim trees wherever possible in order to avoid removal. However, due to the close proximity to the proposed work, many trees will require a full removal.

Where street trees have been removed, residents/property owners will be able to contact the City’s Forestry Supervisor to request the planting of a new tree upon the completion of the construction work.

For questions regarding street trees and to request a new City tree in front of your property after construction is completed, please contact:

Tony Giacobetti

City of Niagara Falls, Forestry Supervisor
Phone: 905-356-7521, Ext. 6513

The City of Niagara Falls has commissioned the construction project that will replace the existing sanitary sewer and water service lines on Harvard Avenue from approximately Wiltshire Boulevard to McGill Street and one length of sewer on each leg of Brian Crescent.

City Contract 2017-449-17 will be carried out for the City of Niagara Falls by Centennial Infrastructure (Niagara) Inc. Work on this projectis tentatively scheduled to begin approximately mid-August and will be continuous until completion, weather permitting. Groundwater dewatering activities will be required prior to the replacement of the sewer systems. This will involve pumping operations that may produce unwanted noise. We respectfully request your cooperation and understanding during this time.

Due to the scope of the work involved, the roadway will be closed to through traffic with local access only. Driveway accessibility may be affected during construction with every effort being made to give you advance notice should this occur. At times there may be some inconvenience to you during the construction period.

Please be advised that there will be periodic times when your water will be shut off in order to replace the water service line to your home. There may also be unforeseen emergency water shut downs due to issues encountered in the field. The contractor will make every effort to provide notification of water shut downs in advance, wherever possible.

If your property is disturbed during construction, the City or our Contractor will carry out the necessary repairs as quickly as possible and as weather permits. With respect to sod restoration, please be advised that restoration timing will be weather dependent and the City’s Contractor will water the sodded areas immediately after placement. To ensure proper root growth, the property owner is requested to continue to water the newly sodded areas after the initial watering by the City’s Contractor. With respect to other restoration including concrete work, please be advised that timing will also be weather dependant.

If you have an irrigation system on City property,you must spray paint, with white paint only, or stake-out the location of your irrigation system. Irrigation systems that are damaged by the contractor will only be replaced if they have been properly located by the property owner prior to construction. The property owner will be responsible for repairs to any irrigation system on City property that is damaged if it has not been properly located by the owner.

Decorative or landscaping items (shrubs, hedges, fences, etc.) situated on City property should be removed or relocated off City property prior to construction. Items conflicting with the proposed works may be damaged or destroyed during construction and will not be replaced by the City. If you are uncertain if these items are on City property, please contact the City.

The City of Niagara Falls and WSP Canada have completed the detailed design for the replacement of approximately 325m of sanitary sewers on Harvard Avenue and Brian Crescent. The project will also include the replacement of sanitary service laterals and copper water services from the main line to the property boundary. A new road base including hot mix asphalt will be installed following the completion of the underground work.

As you are aware the City of Niagara Falls is continually monitoring water levels in maintenance holes and, as required manually intervene via a series of pumps and discharge hose along Harvard Ave.

City staff have recently installed a temporary pumping solution which will minimize the noise associated with the larger pumps. To ensure this pumping solution works to its maximum capabilities we ask that you do not put the following items into the sewer system.

• Paper towels
• Rags and disposable wipes
• Dental floss
• Baby diapers and wipes
• Sanitary pads
• Condoms
• Tampons and applicators
• Fats, oils and grease
• Cotton swabs
• Cigarette butts
• Any item that can otherwise be recycled, composted or placed in the garbage

If you have any questions about the on-going maintenance activities on this sewer system please contact James Sticca, Manager of Environmental Services at 905-356-7521 ext 6520 or by email jsticca@niagarafalls.ca

City crews have planned for continuous coverage starting today (Friday May 5, 2017) and will be carrying over into Monday May 8, 2017.