A major $13.4 million renewal project has commenced, which will upgrade water mains in Carlton, North Carlton and the inner city of Melbourne, securing water supply for the area.
Commencing in August 2019, construction of the M205 Carlton Water Main Renewal is expected to be completed by mid-2020. Works will begin with the installation of a new pipe along 2.3km of Canning Street and will be carried out in sections to minimise disruption.
The first stage of the project involves construction of the water main under Elgin Street, Carlton. Two tunnel shafts will be excavated on Canning Street, one on each side of Elgin Street at the traffic lights, to enable tunnelling under Elgin Street.
Once tunnel boring is completed, the first section of the new water pipe under Canning Street will be installed, making way for open trench installation of the pipe along the remainder of Canning Street.
In order for works to be carried out in a safe environment, temporary full road closures in the southbound lane of Canning Street between Elgin and Barkly Streets will come into effect.
Bicycle and car detours will be in place, and parking spaces will be temporarily occupied. City West Water’s (CWW) Traffic Management Team will be on hand to assist during this time, and footpath access will be maintained for pedestrians.
During the construction period, a Project Information Centre at 326 Park Street, Carlton North, will be open and will operate from 10am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Maree Lang, CWW General Manager Infrastructure and Delivery, said in a Customer First approach, information sharing and consistent two-way communication was extremely important.
“Our Information Centre will give members of our community the opportunity to chat to our team about any aspect of the project and issues they may encounter.
“It will also provide us with valuable feedback on what we’re doing right and what we can do better.”
Throughout the project there will be community engagement activities as the works progress. These include bicycle pop-ups at popular locations, attendance at local community events and activities with local schools and businesses.
The M205 Carlton Water Main Renewal Project is the latest major work undertaken by City West Water.
The current water pipe runs under Nicholson Street and was constructed in 1878. A new water pipeline will be dug along most of the length of Canning Street.
Increased traffic density and future tram stop upgrades on Nicholson Street necessitate the relocation of the pipeline, which is critical to water supply for residential and commercial properties across Carlton, Carlton North and Melbourne CBD.
