The building out of Montpelier's District Heat project has snarled parking and traffic in the capital city throughout the construction season. But now the vast majority of the underground pipes are in place, and construction crews are nearing the end of the project, according to an update from City Manager William Fraser.
Over the next few weeks, residents and visitors to the City of Montpelier will see the contractor flushing the system, pouring the final slabs to protect the pipes, and completing final paving and sidewalk reconstitution.
Fraser says readying the system might have an effect on city water customers.
Work will start this week to clean and flush the heat main system. This involves pumping cleaning agents and water into the distribution system and then draining it. After this is complete the system will be filled. This requires a great deal of water. This work (including water pulled from the City’s water system) may cause low water pressure in the hill sections of the City. In the event residents and business owners experience dirty water, please leave a cold water faucet running until the line clears. Please be assured that this water is still potable.
Meanwhile, concrete slabs are scheduled to be installed in the following locations:
- intersection of Taylor and State Streets
- in front of Vermont Mutual
- intersection of Elm and Langdon Streets
- on Langdon Street
- on Main Street
- on East State Street.
While the slabs are being poured, traffic could be reduced to one lane. Work is also underway to install a District Heat customer connection at New England Culinary Institute, on Main Street. Fraser says parking will be limited in the area, but two-way traffic will be maintained.
