PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
2003-10-10

 
For further information contact:
Jim Keech, President, Utilities Kingston, 546-1181 ext. 2217
Allen Lucas, P.Eng., Utilities Kingston, 546-1181 ext. 2250

DATE ANNOUNCED FOR DREDGING
OF THE GEAT CATARAQUI RIVER

LONG-AWAITED CONSTRUCTION WORK BEGINS
TO REPLACE 50-YEAR-OLD WATER, SEWER PIPES

Over the past three years, the project to replace the 50-year-old water and sewer pipes crossing the Great Cataraqui River has been the subject of great attention locally.

Today, the City of Kingston and its utility partner, Utilities Kingston, announced that dredging operations on the Great Cataraqui River will start the week of October 20, or possibly earlier.

Preparatory work, including a dock construction on the river's east shore and construction of holding cells for the dredged material will be ready by October 20, say utility officials. Approval and construction of an area that will hold dredged materials that may be contaminated will also be completed in time to receive dredged materials.

McNally Construction, the project contractor, remains optimistic that, with an October 20 start date, the dredging and pipe placement should be completed by the end of December, weather permitting. Officials say that pipes and concrete weights are already being delivered and joined together. When prepared, these pipes and weights will be floated into place and sunk into position.

Another key component to the multi-million-dollar project is upgrading to modern standards the River Street sewage pumping station. Officials say that a construction tender will be issued in the coming weeks for that work noting that it will take "a little while" to review and prepare a cost proposal for the pumping station upgrades expected to start this Fall.

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