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Norwalk advances drainage work: $400,000 for Lockwood/Heather Lane and design work for Broad River outfall
Summary
The committee approved an additional $400,000 order on an existing drainage contract at Lockwood and Heather Lane to cover unforeseen rock excavation and poor soils, and authorized a separate Woodard & Curran design amendment of $397,700 for stormwater improvements downstream of Broad River Park as part of a phased Ponus area remediation.
The Norwalk Public Works Committee on May 20 approved two drainage-related actions: a contract order of up to $400,000 for continued drainage construction on Lockwood and Heather Lane, and an amendment to Woodard & Curran’s engineering agreement for design services related to stormwater outfalls downstream of Broad River Park for up to $397,700.
Jim Meehan and other engineering staff said the Lockwood/Heather Lane drainage construction is more than halfway complete and crews have encountered extensive rock excavation and poor soil conditions while installing approximately one mile of storm pipe. “We’re digging down in excess of 15 feet, and we’re encountering more rock than could be anticipated,” Meehan said. Staff described the requested additional funds as covering unforeseen subsurface conditions and noted the $400,000 request is intended to keep the project moving to completion.
Separately, staff presented an amendment to Woodard & Curran to design the lower portion of a larger Ponus-area drainage project that was studied in 2019. The larger program was previously estimated at roughly $11 million in planning documents; staff said the Woodard & Curran scope will focus on designing outfalls, culverts and survey work for wetlands mapping required to obtain state and federal permits. “You always have to build from the bottom and move your way up,” an engineer said, describing the need to construct downstream capacity before upper‑watershed improvements can be implemented.
Committee members asked whether the work would affect nearby businesses and drinking-water resources. Staff said the design will map wetland and water-body limits using the city’s GIS resources and that future permitting for outfalls will follow Connecticut DEEP and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requirements; they also said the city’s MS4 program addresses pollutant concerns and that Wooden Curran (sic) is experienced with MS4 regulations.
Both drainage-related motions passed unanimously.
