What is the Briar Creek Sewer System Improvement Project?
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities' project will improve the existing wastewater system
along Briar Creek from the Sugar Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (near the intersection of
Park and Tyvola roads) to the W.T. Harris/The Plaza area.
Why is the sewer system improvement project necessary?
The project is driven by the need to improve the effectiveness of a sewer system worn by
age, high usage, and natural and man-made obstructions. Improvements will provide sanitary
sewer capacity to meet current and future needs, reduce the risk of sewer overflows, and
protect the water quality in Briar Creek.
The sanitary sewer system serving the Briar
Creek basin depends on pipelines installed at
different times during the past 80 years.
Parallel pipelines - one on each side of the
creek - exist along most of the route. They
range in size from 12 inches to 72 inches in
diameter with a total length of nearly 100,000
linear feet (about 19 miles).
Where will improvements be constructed?
When will it start?
Improvements will be constructed within
easement areas in the vicinity of existing
wastewater pipelines along Briar Creek.
Activity is expected to be noticeable on both
sides of the creek along the entire route.
Construction will take place in three phases.
The first phase at the south end of the project
began in 2007 and will be complete in late
2009.
Phase I: Sugar Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant near Tyvola and Park roads to north of
Randolph Road (Improvements fall on the east side of creek from south of Tyvola Road to
north of Park Road; the west side of the creek north of Park Road to north of Runnymede
Lane; and on both sides of the creek from Runnymede to Randolph Road except where they
are located only on the west side (about one-half mile north and south of Providence Road
and one-half mile north of Colony Road).
Phase II: North of Randolph Road to Country Club Drive (Improvements are planned to
begin north of Randolph Road and then follow the creek to Independence Boulevard and
Country Club Drive.)
Phase III: Country Club Drive to the W.T. Harris/The Plaza area (Improvements may be
constructed on both sides of the creek. Many improvements will be built on the east or south
side of Briar Creek from Quiet Cove Court (near The Plaza/W.T. Harris area) to immediately
south of Shamrock Drive. From Shamrock Drive to Country Club Drive, most improvements
will be constructed on the west side of the creek.)
How will construction impact me?
Engineers are currently working on the answer to this question, especially as it applies to
individual properties. In general, engineers know on which side of the creek improvements
are need and that major streets such as Eastway Drive, Independence Boulevard, and
Providence Road will be tunneled under to limit traffic disruption. As specific information
becomes available for each phase, it will be available to citizens at community meetings and
through other means.
At what stage is the project?
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities and consulting engineers CDM are installing the first phase
and are designing phase two. We will have multiple meetings before phase two reaches final
design. Final design includes development of construction specifications, detailed
construction drawings, maps for easement acquisition, traffic control plans, and permitting.
Will the City want to buy an easement from me?
Many easements already exist although the areas may be overgrown or are being used by
property owners as part of their private property. It will be necessary to acquire additional
right of way easements from some properties along the 10-mile project route. City
representatives will individually contact every property owner from which an easement is
needed.
How much will the project cost?
For engineering, design and construction services, phase two of the Briar Creek project is
expected to cost more than $25 million. This project and all Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities
capital improvement projects are funded with water and sewer user fees paid by current
customers. Utilities does not receive city or county tax dollars.
Will there be more community meetings?
Yes and property owners close to the project will be notified.
Who should I contact if I have a question about the project?
Call 311 or e-mail ccoley@ci.charlotte.nc.us.
Are other city projects being coordinated with the Briar Creek project?
To create efficiencies and reduce impact to citizens, every effort is being made to coordinate
construction with other city projects planned along Briar Creek. While no plans are definite
at this time, coordination may develop with projects by Mecklenburg County Storm Water
Services, Charlotte Storm Water Services, Mecklenburg County Department of
Environmental Protection, Charlotte Department of Transportation, and others.