NEWS RELEASE

CARY, NC – The Town of Cary will not run a sewer force main under the abandoned roadbed of Old Holly Springs Road. After completing a thorough investigation of the site, which included a walk through the area with property owners, Town engineers determined that the pipe–and the construction necessary to bury it—would be too close to existing wells, septic fields, and residences. Cary needs to install a second 36" force main from the south side of Cary to its South Water Reclamation Facility to accommodate future capacity and improve system reliability. Running the force main along the old roadbed was one of several alternatives under investigation by the Town.

"Identifying possible options, gathering details, and eliminating alternatives is our regular process in every construction project," said Town Manager Bill Coleman. "This option received a lot of attention at the ‘identification’ stage, but, professionally, we needed to go through our normal process of getting the facts and visiting the location before we could make any decision."

Based on Town staff’s current assessments of the remaining alternative, the Holly Springs Road alternative remains the primary corridor. This alternative runs the force main along the existing roadway, approximately 13’ from and parallel to an existing force main or approximately 13’ from and parallel to an existing City of Raleigh waterline.

"This has been our preferred alignment from the beginning," said Town Director of Engineering Tim Bailey. "It is the shortest length of all the alternatives, the most direct route, and it provides easy access for maintenance."

The Wyman Park alternative ranks second because of the potential for constructing the force main along a corridor already under construction. It replaces approximately 3400 feet of force main along Holly Springs Road with about 6025 feet through a proposed subdivision located approximately 1500 feet east of Holly Springs Road. The Birkhaven Dr. – Pinnacle Dr. alternative ranks third because it requires the least additional length of force main. It replaces approximately 1900 feet of force main along Holly Springs Road with approximately 2750 feet along Birkhaven Drive and Pinnacle Drive.

There is a fourth alternative under consideration that is not an alternative alignment but rather an alternative design that would divert some of the flow from the upper portions of the Swift Creek pump station service area via a second pump station. This alternative has major implications to other current projects, and the Town is working to evaluate its merits.  Staff is expected to decide on the final alignment in about 60 days.

Information about this and many other Town of Cary construction projects—including known advantages and disadvantages of each of the reaming alternatives--is available online at www.townofcary.org.

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