Water valve replacement at Academy and Austin Bluffs starts in April

Dara Korn
·2 min read

(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Colorado Springs Utilities (Springs Utilities) announced that the second phase of the Academy Corridor Water Valve Replacement Project will start in April.

The goal is to enhance water service reliability by installing multiple isolation valves on large-diameter water mains near the intersection of North Academy Boulevard and Austin Bluffs Parkway. These valves will help avoid water outages such as the one in March 2021.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Second phase of Academy construction project planned

Planned Traffic Impacts

The following dates are planned for the work to take place, and are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances:

Academy:

  • Wednesday, April 10 through Monday, April 22: preparatory work

  • Tuesday, April 23 through Friday, April 26: water valve installations

  • Thursday, May 2 through Friday, May 3: road restoration

Water Valve Replacement at Academy and Austin Bluffs starts in April
Courtesy: Colorado Springs Utilities

Austin Bluffs:

  • Saturday, May 4 through Monday, May 13: preparatory work

  • Tuesday, May 14 through Friday, May 17: water valve installations

  • Friday, May 24 through Tuesday, June 5: road restoration

Water Valve Replacement at Academy and Austin Bluffs starts in April
Courtesy: Colorado Springs Utilities

Drivers will encounter lane closures in every direction along the intersection of Academy and Austin Bluffs, with turns onto side streets and through the intersection heavily affected, and drivers should plan ahead and follow posted signs. Drivers will also encounter crews working in the streets during this period, and Springs Utilities asks that drivers operate their vehicles safely, carefully, and slowly.

Planned Water Outages

As the valves are being installed, the water main will be drained, which will cause water outages for some businesses in the area on the following dates:

  • April 23 (starting early morning) through April 26 (ending early morning)

  • May 14 (starting early morning) through May 17 (ending early morning)

Water Valve Replacement at Academy and Austin Bluffs starts in April
Courtesy: Colorado Springs Utilities

Construction crews will work 24 hours a day during this time to reduce the impacts of the outage. Springs Utilities is notifying affected customers via email, direct mail, phone, and texts. Only businesses will be impacted, and no residential customers.

There will not be an immediate loss of water on the mornings that the outages begin, rather there will be a slow loss of pressure until it stops, as it will take eight to ten hours for the water mains to drain. At the times of the outages, they will be posted on the outage map at www.csu.org/outagemap, and information and maps can also be referenced on the project webpage.

Unplanned outages may also occur as the new valves are being installed. Tips for how to prepare for outages are available at www.csu.org/Pages/WaterOutage.aspx.

During the outages, nearby residents are asked to limit their water usage as the water is drained to help lessen the impact. Springs Utilities asks that during the two 72-hour periods in which the outages occur, customers hold off on watering lawns, avoid washing outdoor surfaces or vehicles, and limit non-essential activities that consume large amounts of water.

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