Work on a sewer project in Lafayette will close an intersection for three weeks.
City Engineer Jenny Leshney says Earl Avenue and Main Street will be shut down beginning Monday, July 8, as part of the Durkees Run interceptor project.
“It’s the installation of the 84-inch diameter storm sewer and structures, relocating of the water main, and road reconstruction over the top of that. The goal is to have that intersection back open before both Purdue and Lafayette Jeff (High School) start.”
She says the work along Earl, from Main to South Street, will cause the closure of the intersection of Kossuth and Earl, eventually.
Engineering consultant Mark Chmeliwskyj says besides the underground work, changes will be noticed along Earl.
“The intersection will be improved to allow for future tie-ins from trails and the next phase of sidewalks on the east side of the street. There will be new signals. It won’t be the exact same intersection. It will be improved.”
The Durkees Run interceptor project will cost a little more than $7 million. When the work is complete, it’s expected to save almost $9.5 million in energy, wastewater and operational costs over its first 20 years.
Officials say separating the storm water and sanitary sewers is needed to alleviate capacity problems in the existing line and other benefits include reduced street and basement flooding in the area.