Richmond readies large waterline work on Tilden, Bridge and Cochran; start likely in early June

Richmond’s Water and Sewer Commission reported significant progress on a multi-road waterline replacement project covering Tilden Avenue, Bridge Street and Cochran Road and said construction could begin as soon as the end of May or, more likely, the first week of June.

Staff said contractor Munson will install long sections of C900 pipe and is completing curb-stop markings and Dig Safe locates before work begins. The town has recorded about 20 easements and staff thanked the Town Clerk’s office for processing recordings that must be completed before breaking ground. Staff estimated the full project will take about three to four months and that Tilden is scheduled to be done first to minimize school-related traffic impacts.

Officials warned that customers may experience short, localized outages when crews make sectional switches during pressure testing and commissioning. Staff said pumps and pressure tests precede sectional switching and, if tests pass, individual outages will likely last “a couple hours” while crews make the connections. If customers want a new service line brought directly to a house at the time of curb-stop relocation, that work would be the customer’s expense; the town will handle splices at the curb stop.

The commission said it will use town communications (Front Porch Forum, email lists and the town website) and county traffic alerts to notify residents once a firm start date is known.

Commissioners also discussed paving plans after main installation and post-construction patching versus full repaving schedules for different roads.