A contract for storm sewer reconstruction on Derby Avenue in Vankleek Hill has been awarded to Hawkesbury Transport & Excavation in the amount of $188,497.75.
Work began on Monday (September 25) to rebuild a 580-metre portion of storm sewer due to the age of the infrastructure, according to Champlain Township Public Works Superintendent James McMahon.
There is a split storm sewer on Derby Avenue; the work will continue from the corner of Higginson and Derby to just past where Bond Street intersects Derby Avenue.
The work will take about two weeks to complete, McMahon says.
The storm sewers are likely older than 30 years old, according to McMahon.
And there has been one unusual discovery, he says. An underground holding tank was discovered in front of St-Grégoire Church – the tank was a water reserve for fire-fighting purposes, McMahon says.
The underground tank will be left in place, he says. The tank collects and retains surface water, he explained.
Additional work is planned for the storm sewer right at the corner of Depanneur Lalande and Main Street. And catchbasin work will take place at the corner of Higginson and Grout Street, McMahon outlined.
The work is being done because township staff has noticed cracks in the storm sewer and the decision was made to repair the storm sewers before paving of Derby Avenue, which is tentatively scheduled for 2018, if Champlain Township approves this capital work in its 2018 budget.
The utility poles which are partially in the street on Derby  Avenue (since the removal of the sidewalks on the east side) will likely not be moved before paving, noted McMahon, as the cost to move these poles is prohibitive.