For More Information Contact:
Joe Harwood, 541-685-7471
Eugene Water & Electric Board

March 3, 2011

EWEB water pipe replacement to close Pearl at 7th Ave.

Eugene Water & Electric Board crews will close Pearl Street from East Seventh Avenue south to East Eighth Avenue starting at 7 a.m. Saturday to install a new 16-inch diameter water main across Pearl.

During the closure, no through traffic will be allowed on the section of Pearl between Seventh and Eighth avenues. Motorist and cyclists should use alternate routes. Crosswalks at the north and south ends of the Pearl Street closure will be closed intermittently. Flaggers will monitor the closure and direct traffic and pedestrians.

The closure will be in place until 5 p.m. Saturday. If necessary, crews will return at 7 a.m. Sunday to complete the work. Should work resume Sunday, the closure will remain in effect until 5 p.m. or whenever the job is completed.

The project, which started in mid-January, will replace the 16-inch diameter water main installed in the 1930s. The pipe has outlived its expected lifespan. EWEB is replacing the pipe ahead of a city of Eugene resurfacing project on Pearl planned for this summer.

Expect lane closures on Pearl between 4th and 6th avenues starting Monday

As part of the preparation for the city’s street resurfacing, EWEB crews on Monday, March 7, will begin replacing water service lines that branch off the 16-inch main on Pearl Street between East Fourth Avenue and East Sixth Avenue. This will require intermittent lane closures on Pearl, from Fourth south to Sixth. Flaggers will control traffic through this corridor. Drivers should expect delays and use alternate routes.

EWEB asks that motorists driving in the construction areas proceed with caution and be prepared to stop.

Learn more about this and other EWEB construction projects

EWEB is in the fourth year of a major capital improvement project to replace deteriorating water transmission pipes with more durable ductile iron mains. The initiative seeks to replace aging infrastructure and improve reliability for all EWEB customers.