Virtual information meeting slated for Tuesday, Oct. 6; public invited to attend
MADISON — Next spring, Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District will begin a three-year project to construct the West Interceptor Shorewood Relief pipe. This new pipe will be part of the West Interceptor system, a complex system of pipes serving the near west side of Madison, Middleton, Shorewood Hills and the Town of Westport. This project is necessary to increase capacity, which ensures the safe and reliable conveyance of wastewater while protecting public health and the environment.
“The West Interceptor system has reached its capacity in the project area and is in need of relief,” says Eric Hjellen, a project engineer with the District. “The last addition to the system was the West Interceptor — Midvale Relief in 1971. Due to growth in the areas served over the last 50 years, it is time for another addition to the system.”
An interceptor is the largest component of a sewer network. It receives flow from small sewer lines and directs sewage to the wastewater treatment plant.
Phase 1 of the West Interceptor Shorewood Relief pipe will start in Indian Hills Park and drain to the east. From Indian Hills Park, it will run on the north side of the railroad tracks to Shorewood Boulevard. The new pipe will be installed in the same location as the existing West Interceptor Relief, which was built in 1959. The trench will be up to 15 feet deep and 25 to 30 feet wide.
Impacts to the construction corridor include construction activity and noise and temporary bike path detours. No trees on private property will be removed, but there will be some permanent tree loss on the railroad property.
“The decision to take down trees, no matter the size or age, is never easy, and we recognize the inconvenience caused by construction operations will be disruptive. The District worked very closely with City of Madison, Village of Shorewood Hills and State of Wisconsin to minimize these impacts to find a route that is cost-effective and will serve the community long into the future.” says Michael Mucha, the District’s chief engineer and director.
Phase 2 of the project will be constructed in 2022 in coordination with the City of Madison’s University Avenue project. Phase 2 will run in University Avenue from Marshall Court to Highland Avenue. Phase 3, which runs in the bike path from Shorewood Boulevard to Marshall Court, will be constructed in 2023.
The public is invited to attend a virtual public information meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 6 starting at 5:30 p.m. to learn more about the project and ask questions. To participate, register at link.madsewer.org/shorewood-pim. After registering, look for a confirmation email with additional details.
Learn more about the project by visiting link.madsewer.org/shorewood-relief.
