Chesapeake Avenue Area Drainage & Utility Improvements

Purpose of Project

Portions of the existing drainage, sanitary sewer, and water infrastructure within the historic district of South Norfolk are no longer fully serviceable. This project will provide the much needed infrastructure replacement and/or upgrade to alleviate area flooding, reduce maintenance, and ensure reliable services are provided to the area.

The existing drainage system is over 100 years old in some locations, and adverse pipe slopes, non-standard pipe connections, and damaged structures produce frequent street and nuisance flooding. Much of the system was built in patchwork fashion, without the benefit of modern design standards. Some street intersections have no apparent drainage infrastructure. The proposed improvements will upgrade and realign the drainage system along portions of Guerriere Street, Chesapeake Avenue, Ohio Street, Rodgers Street, Jefferson Street, Stewart Street, and Park Avenue to adequately convey the 10-year storm. The proposed improvements will reduce area flooding and provide relief for areas currently lacking drainage infrastructure.

Excessive maintenance has been required on the existing sanitary sewer mains on Chesapeake Avenue, between Guerriere Street and Jefferson Street, on Ohio Street between Jackson Avenue and Rodgers Street, on Rodgers Street between Ohio Street and Jefferson Street, on Jefferson Street between Jackson Avenue and Rodgers Street, and at the intersection of Park Avenue and Stewart Street. Inspection of these sewer mains indicates severe deterioration. The proposed improvements will replace these sanitary sewer mains and associated service laterals in order to provide more reliable sanitary services to its users and reduce maintenance.

The existing water mains located on Ohio Street between Seaboard Avenue and Chesapeake Avenue, and on Jefferson Street between Chesapeake Avenue and Decatur Street, have reached the end of their service life and were designed to an outdated standard. The proposed improvements will replace these water mains and associated service laterals. A new water line will be installed along Guerriere Street to create a loop in the water system for the area. The proposed improvements will provide a more reliable water system for its users and reduce maintenance.

Project Diagrams

Select the following images to view a high-resolution version of each diagram.

Option 1: In-Kind Pavement Restoration

In-Kind Pavement Restoration (PNG) Opens in new window

Option 2: Concrete Pavement Restoration

Concrete Pavement Restoration (PNG) Opens in new window

Project Description

This project is a joint effort between the Department of Public Works and the Department of Public Utilities. This joint effort will construct sanitary sewer and water improvements in conjunction with drainage improvements.

Drainage Improvements

Install approximately 5,200 linear feet of storm pipe, manholes, curb inlet structures, and box culverts along Guerriere Street, Chesapeake Avenue, Ohio Street, Rodgers Street, Jefferson Street, and Stewart Street. Regrade the existing channel between Jefferson Street and Park Avenue and upsize the outfall at Stewart Street and Park Avenue.

Sanitary Sewer Improvements

Replace approximately 2,300 linear feet of gravity sewer mains and service laterals on Chesapeake Avenue, between Guerriere Street and Jefferson Street, on Ohio Street between Jackson Avenue and Rodgers Street, on Rodgers Street between Ohio Street and Jefferson Street, on Jefferson Street between Jackson Avenue and Rodgers Street, and at the intersection of Park Avenue and Stewart Street.

Water Improvements

Replace approximately 1,800 linear feet of water main and service laterals on Ohio Street between Seaboard Avenue and Chesapeake Avenue, and on Jefferson Street between Chesapeake Avenue and Decatur Street. Install new water main along Guerriere Street to create a loop in the water system for the area.

Right-of-Way Surface Improvements

In order to construct the underground infrastructure improvements, existing surface features must be removed and replaced within the limits of construction. This includes the following:

  • Curb, curb and gutter, sidewalks, and entrances impacted by construction will be replaced in kind. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant curb ramps will be installed at corners affected by the project.
  • Brick pattern stamped concrete crosswalks and sidewalks along Chesapeake Avenue impacted by the project will be replaced in kind with color and pattern.
  • Granite curbs along Chesapeake Avenue will be salvaged and reinstalled, to the greatest extent possible, when disturbed by the project. The pavement material used in the restoration of roadways within the project limits is being considered in two options; In-Kind and Concrete.

Options

The pavement material option that is selected will be influenced by the majority of citizen feedback from this citizen information meeting. The two roadway pavement restoration options are:

Option 1 - In-Kind Pavement Restoration

The roadway pavement within the construction limits is restored with the same pavement material that is currently on the roadway surface. For example, asphalt pavement is replaced with asphalt pavement and concrete pavement is replaced with concrete pavement. The roadway pavement is restored either by patching, patching and mill and overlay, or full-depth pavement replacement. Majority of the existing pavement within the project limits is asphalt. In-Kind pavement restoration allows for the full extents of the project improvements to be constructed because of the lower material and installation costs of asphalt pavement. Figure A under Project Exhibits illustrates the limits of Option 1 - In-Kind Pavement Restoration. Following is a list of the typical advantages and disadvantages of asphalt pavement compared to concrete pavement.

Asphalt Pavement Advantages & Disadvantages

Advantages:

  • Less expensive initial cost 
  • Less expensive repairs and easier to perform
  • Shorter construction time and less disruption to traffic
  • Quieter driving noise
  • More practical for residential areas, and utility installation and repairs
  • Less prone to slippage during rainfall

Disadvantages:

  • Less durable (approximately 20-year lifespan)
  • More frequent repairs and maintenance

Option 2 - Concrete Pavement Restoration

The roadway pavement within the construction limits is restored with full-width and full-depth concrete pavement. The use of concrete pavement restoration significantly reduces the extents of the project improvements to be constructed because of the higher material and installation cost of concrete pavement. Figure B under Project Exhibits illustrates the limits of Option 2 - Concrete Pavement Restoration. The following list gives the typical advantages and disadvantages of concrete pavement compared to asphalt pavement.

Concrete Pavement Advantages & Disadvantages

Advantages:

  • More durable (20- to 40-year lifespan) 
  • Less frequent repairs and maintenance 
  • Longer construction time and more disruption to traffic
  • Louder driving noise
  • Less practical for residential areas, and utility installation and repairs
  • More prone to slippage during rainfall

Disadvantages:

  • More expensive initial cost
  • More expensive repairs and harder to perform

Construction Process

Traffic will be maintained during construction by a combination of partial and full roadway closures completed in a block-by-block manner. Detour routes will be provided for full roadway closures. Residents and businesses will have access to their properties at all times.

Construction of the project will be divided into two phases:

  • Phase 1: The southwest, or downstream, portion of the project will extend from the intersection of Jefferson Street and Rodgers Street to the outfall improvements at Stewart Street and Park Avenue.
  • Phase 2: The northeast, or upstream, portion of the project will extend from the intersection of Jefferson Street and Rodgers Street to the improvements at the intersection of Guerriere Street and Seaboard Avenue.

Note: The limits of the construction phases and the overall project limits will ultimately be determined by the outcomes of this citizen information meeting, the design completion cost estimate, and the construction costs received by bidding contractors.

Drainage Easements

The drainage improvements at both ends of the existing channel between Jefferson Street and Park Avenue, and at the outfall improvements at Stewart Street and Park Avenue will require acquisition of public drainage easements. Currently there are seven parcels affected by the project. Prior to the easement acquisition process and construction, all required easements will be shown on the plans.

City Representatives will be able to review questions regarding easement acquisitions via the comment form on the meeting website or in response to mailed comment forms

Project Schedule

  • Design Completion
    • Phase 1: Spring 2023
    • Phase 2: Summer 2023
  • Begin Easement Acquisition
    • Phase 1: Winter 2022
    • Phase 2: Spring 2023
  • Advertise for Construction
    • Phase 1: Summer 2023
    • Phase 2: Fall 2023

Note: Project timelines are tentative and subject to change.

Project Budget

Budget: $4.7 million

  • Public Works Budget: $4.1 million (available)
  • Public Utilities Budget: $616,797 (available)

Project costs are preliminary and subject to change depending on final design features, inflation, utility relocation and right-of-way costs.