Durham holds public hearing on Chin Page Road lift station project to relieve Northeast Creek sewer capacity

Durham County staff held a public hearing Sept. 9 to receive comment on the Utilities Division’s engineering report and environmental information document for the Chin Page Road lift station, force main and gravity main project.

Vincent Chirichella, senior project manager, told the board the project is recommended to increase sewer capacity in the Northeast Creek basin — an area that includes much of Research Triangle Park and surrounding areas — because the existing sewer infrastructure does not have sufficient capacity to serve proposed development and future flows anticipated under the adopted Durham City-County Comprehensive Plan. He said the project is projected to be completed in about two-and-a-half years and that funding includes a loan component.

Board members asked why a public hearing was required and pressed staff about schedule and whether the project was sized to accommodate forecasted development. Chirichella said the project was designed to accommodate proposed development and future flows. Commissioner members asked whether the county could partner with Economic Development to create a fund to pay for future lift stations; Andy Miracle, Economic Development Director, said he could discuss creating such a fund with the board.

Chair Nida Allam opened the public hearing; with no one signed up to speak, she closed the hearing. No vote was required for the public hearing record.

Staff said they would continue project planning and return to the board with any required approvals and financing details.