Construction at South Avenue. Credit: Jack Zussman
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A four-year-long construction project in New Canaan started its final stretch this week.
The water company’s 36-inch water main installation is nearly complete, though community members’ patience is dwindling, officials say.
Four years ago, Aquarion began installing a water main, causing road closures on the eastern side of town. Now, the installation is taking place on South Avenue (with a plan to repave starting in September).
Sections of South Avenue between Douglas and Farm Road will be closed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays for the next three months, through the end of August, according to Public Works Director Tiger Mann. On Monday, construction crews started work at Douglas, with a plan to move south as the summer wears on.
Selectman Steve Karl raised concerns during Tuesday’s Board of Selectmen meeting about how the construction could affect residents who live along South Avenue, saying access for homeowners must remain a priority during the closure.
“We all live in New Canaan, but the people who actually live on South Avenue in those homes — those residents need to get home,” Karl said at the meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference. “We need to make sure whoever is there knows they need to get people through.”
Public Works Director Tiger Mann agreed, saying the town’s top priority is ensuring local traffic, emergency vehicles and school buses can still pass through the area. Residents who live within the construction zone will be allowed through by speaking with the flagger or police officer stationed there, Mann said.
“All they have to do is talk to the flagger or address the officer and say, ‘I live at whatever address,’ ” Mann said. “If they’re in that zone, then they can come into the zone. … Inside it, yes, they have priority. They’re not delayed.”
Mann acknowledged that frustration among residents is already high and is likely to grow as the project continues through the summer.
“And yes, to your point, the patience levels are low,” Mann said. “We’re starting at a low point. We’re not starting with everyone refreshed — everyone’s already at a low, and we’re only going to sink further through the end of the summer.”
Once the water main installation is complete, Aquarion will move on to repaving the roadway, Mann said. That phase is expected to run from September through November, with work scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday in an effort to minimize disruptions, particularly for schools.
“We hopefully won’t impact anyone at that point in time for that paving, especially the schools,” Mann said.