UPDATE 4/20/2021 - Riverside Drive is OPEN!
Crews have completed all repair, restoration, and road work on Riverside Drive in the vicinity of the watermain break. Utility work has been completed by GCWW, MSD, and Duke Energy. Road restoration work has also been completed, and the roadway opened on April 20, 2021.

Details of the completed project are listed below:
• Both breaks on the 60" main have been repaired.
• The sanitary sewer and utility hole chambers have been repaired.
• Backfilling of the two pits and removal of shoring have been completed.
• Installation of the 12" water main, including final tie-in and taps to impacted properties, has been completed.
• Duke has replaced the utility pole and re-energized the electric lines.
• Gas service lines to affected properties have been installed and on.
• Duke Energy has connected services to all affected properties.
• Spectrum has completed utility repairs and service connections to the properties.

ASSISTANCE TO RESIDENTS
GCWW has provided housing assistance to the residents directly impacted by the repair work of both watermain breaks until residents’ can transition back to their properties. A community liaison remains dedicated to keeping the residents informed and providing assistance.

TRAFFIC CLOSURES & DETOURS
Traffic closures and detours related to this work were removed and roadway access returned to normal on April 20, 2021.

BACKGROUND
A 60" and 12" water main break occurred at 2471 and 2458 Riverside Drive at Lumber Street and Bayou Street in the East End on Saturday, January 2, resulting in structure flooding and significant roadway damage. Replacement and repair work have been ongoing since the break.

In the early morning hours of February 20, 2021, another break occurred on the 60" main just east of the location of the January 2 break. The 60" main had recently been put back into service after repair of the initial break. This break was not as severe as the first break, although additional flooding and roadway and utility line damage did occur.

UPDATE 3/31/2021
Crews remain on site continuing repair and restoration work. Utility work has been completed by GCWW, MSD, and Duke Energy with road work restoration beginning the week of March 29. Details of GCWW's progress are listed below:

Currently complete:

• Both breaks on the 60" main have been repaired.

• The sanitary sewer and utility hole chambers have been repaired.

• Backfilling of the two pits and removal of shoring have been completed.

• Installation of the 12" water main, including final tie-in and taps to impacted properties, has been completed.

• Duke has replaced the utility pole and re-energized the electric lines on Riverside Drive.

• Gas service lines to affected properties have been installed and are ready for turn on.

• Installation of new water services for properties under construction within the new paving limits, which needs to be done prior to roadway restoration.

Week of 3/29/21

• Duke Energy to start connecting services to the properties.

• Spectrum to complete utility repairs and service connections to the properties.

Week of 4/5/21

• Continue final restoration of the roadway, curbs, and sidewalks.

Week of 4/12/21

• Complete final restoration of the road.

Week of 4/19/21

• It is anticipated that the road will be reopened to traffic by mid-week.

ASSISTANCE TO RESIDENTS
Greater Cincinnati Water Works has and will continue to offer and provide housing assistance to the residents directly impacted by the repair work of both water main breaks until residents can return to their properties. A community liaison remains dedicated to keeping the residents informed and providing assistance.

TRAFFIC CLOSURES & DETOURS
Traffic detours around the impacted area remain. Safety in the construction area is of primary concern, and traffic detours will stay in place until all repairs are completed. With ongoing construction and roadwork, access to the immediate vicinity will remain unavailable until work is completed.

Signage is still in place, alerting customers that businesses and restaurants remain open on Riverside Drive.

Local traffic is permitted on Riverside, west of Collins, and east of Lumber. Riverside Drive from Delta Avenue to Collins Avenue is closed to through traffic. No trucks will be able to pass between Bains and Delta. Collins has a railroad bridge preventing trucks over 10' from passing through. Cincinnati Police will maintain traffic detours, and updates will be provided via their Twitter Site (@CincyPD).

Updates will also be provided on the GCWW Twitter site (@CincinnatiWater) as more details become available regarding repairs, etc.

 

UPDATE 3/8/2021
BACKGROUND

A 60" and 12" water main break occurred at 2471 and 2458 Riverside Drive at Lumber Street and Bayou Street in the East End on Saturday, January 2, 2021, resulting in structure flooding and significant roadway damage. Replacement and repair work have been ongoing since the break. 

In the early morning hours of February 20, 2021, another break occurred on the 60" main just east of the location of the January 2 break. The 60" main had recently been put back into service after repair of the initial break. This break was not as severe as the first break, although additional flooding and roadway and utility line damage did occur.

UPDATE
Crews remain on site, continuing repair and restoration work. 

Currently complete:

• Both breaks on the 60" main have been repaired.

Week of 3/8/21

• Today 3/8, and tomorrow 3/9, contractors are working on repairing the sanitary sewer and manhole chambers which should be complete by 3/10.
• Backfilling of the two pits and removal of shoring should be completed by the end of the week.

Week of 3/15/21

• Laying the 12" main, including pressure testing and sampling.
• Final tie-in and taps on the 12" main for the affected properties on Monday and Tuesday, the week of 3/22.

Week of 3/22/21

• Complete tie-in and connecting taps on the 12" main.

• Start on the final restoration of the area.

Week of 3/29/21

• Duke Energy to set new utility pole and start connecting services to the properties.
• Spectrum to complete utility repairs and service connections to the properties.
• Complete final restoration of the roadway, curbs, and sidewalks. 
• It is anticipated that the road may be reopened to traffic at the end of the week of 3/29/21.

ASSISTANCE TO RESIDENTS
Greater Cincinnati Water Works has and will continue to provide assistance to residents directly impacted by the repair work of both watermain breaks until residents can return to their properties. A community liaison has been dedicated to keeping the residents informed and to providing assistance.

As certain properties are directly adjacent to the construction site and will not have water or electric service during the construction, affected residents have been relocated to an extended stay hotel within the region. GCWW's community liaison researched a range of options for extended stay accommodations keeping in mind the desire to keep families and pets together and to provide similar accommodations to each household. The selected extended stay accommodations were among the very limited options available during the duration of the work. 

Beyond the relocation, some families have sought and received additional assistance from churches and non-profit organizations. Based on the current schedule and barring any additional issues, residents will be able to return to their residences following the reconnection of household utilities. In addition, GCWW has also made specialized cleaning and drying services available to properties following each of the main breaks.

TRAFFIC CLOSURES & DETOURS
Traffic detours around the impacted area remain.  Safety in the construction area is of primary concern, and traffic detours will stay in place until all repairs are completed. With ongoing construction and roadwork, access to the immediate vicinity will remain unavailable until work is completed. 

Signage is still in place, alerting customers that businesses and restaurants remain open on Riverside Drive. Local traffic is permitted on Riverside, west of Collins, and east of Lumber.

Riverside Drive from Delta Ave. to Collins Ave is closed to through traffic. No trucks will be able to pass between Bains and Delta. Collins has a railroad bridge preventing trucks over 10' from passing through. Cincinnati Police will maintain traffic detours, and updates will be provided via their Twitter Site (@CincyPD).

Updates will also be provided on the GCWW Twitter site (@CincinnatiWater) as more details become available regarding repairs, etc. 

More info at myGCWW.org