Why did Ogden City undertake this project in the winter?
The line we are replacing is needed during the warmer months of June
through November. In order to meet the consumption needs of Ogden City,
our only option is to work during the winter months, which brings
additional challenges of harsh weather conditions
that often affect workers and equipment.
Why is the project moving so slowly? With
warmer temperatures we are now able to manage soil conditions and
install about 200 feet of pipe a day, delaying us only five days behind
our June 1 deadline. Record cold temperatures posed
challenges at the beginning of the project. Equipment start-up times
took longer and breakdowns were more frequent. Excessive frost and solid
rock compounded the problem, resulting in unforeseeable underground
conditions and unplanned night road closures.
A second night crew is being added to help get us ahead of the
deadline.
Why so many traffic delays? Unfortunately we
do not have the resources available to give real time estimates like
the signage you often see along Interstate 15. We are broadcasting delay
times through the project website at
www.ogdencanyonh2o.com, Twitter@ogdencanyonh2o and the project hotline at 801-675-8198. We will also be adding updates from employees who will be driving the canyon and logging drive time through the canyon seven
days a week.
We knew this project would pose a major challenge,
that’s why it has been put off for more than a hundred years. Without
replacing the waterline, we would continue to lose over a million
gallons of water a day. Replacement of the line
is vital.
We are committed to adapting the travelers’
concerns while staying within the constraints of the project. We thank
you for your patience and concern for the safety or our workers and
encourage you to email us with any questions or suggestions
at ogdencanyonh2o@horrocks.com.
Kimberly Jensen
Ogden City
Marketing and Communication
The thing I don't understand is why this work could not have started in say October or November...or maybe even started mobilization in September....it appears, but has never been said that the reason for the need to start in December is because of the water use in "warmer months"... suggesting this water is for irrigation for those not on the Pineview system. Pineview shuts down October 15th typically I believe so why the need to wait until December....did someone drop the ball on planning or engineering that caused a delay?....What's all this extra water use in November and October? With countless city newsletters talking about water conservation why not capitalize on that in order to get this project out of the ground earlier?
ReplyDeleteAlso, what happened to the "idea" that indicated the project could be finished faster going to open trenching when the change in construction method was announced....
I don't think we are getting the whole story on this...using excuses of excessive frost (no kidding its winter), solid rock (no kidding it's in the canyon)...you had 100 years to figure this out and this is the result?...
To be fair, the guys in the field are doing the best they can with what they have been handed...it's the guys that handed it to them that deserve the criticism....
The frustration for some is why redo the Canyon route at all? Since any repair or replacement of the pipe in the future will tie up the Canyon road in the same manner, why not seek an alternative route for the pipe other then under the roadbed. That would eliminate the disruption of the Canyon traffic and the nightmare for all those affected. It may cost more, but it would solve most of the problems associated with this fiasco.
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