New Sewer Line Hints at Future Development
The first phase of a City of Phoenix project to better handle wastewater from Anthem’s west side, and to deal with any possible future development, has begun. As part of a project that’s been in the works for several years, workers will install a new sewer pipe and manholes from Carefree Highway to Pioneer Road.
Crews will install nearly 2 miles of 18- to 20-inch sewer pipe, running on the west side of North Valley Parkway, then the east side of Gavilan Peak Parkway, then crossing to the west under I-17 south of Pioneer Road. A discharge structure to help reintroduce wastewater into the collection system will be built south of Pioneer Road. [See map below]
The project is expected to take nine months.
While Anthem residents and businesses west of I-17 are in the City of Phoenix, the city has a contractual agreement with EPCOR for the treatment of wastewater. (Phoenix provides west-side water.)
“This new pipeline will allow Phoenix to treat the wastewater instead,” said Stephanie Bracken, spokesperson with the Phoenix Water Services Department. There will be no change in sewer rates for these residents, Bracken said, and wastewater service will not be interrupted during construction.
The project hints at potential future development, too. “The infrastructure will allow new development within the City of Phoenix limits to develop from the current west Anthem south to the location of the lift station on Pioneer Road,” Bracken told In&Out.
One potential development, called Riverview, would add 170 homes just north of the Post Office adjacent to Anthem. The project needs approval of a rezoning request, which Phoenix City Council is expected to consider Sept. 4. Meanwhile, much of the empty land north of Pioneer Road and west of I-17 is within Phoenix city limits and is State Trust Land, subject to potential development depending on future developer interest and willingness of the State Land Department to auction parcels off.
Planning for the pipes began roughly four years ago, when the Circle Mountain neighborhood north of Daisy Mountain Post Office began to develop. Once the first phase is complete, a second phase will extend piping up to Opportunity Way, ultimately connecting the city’s infrastructure in west Anthem to the city’s other infrastructure. Phase 2 is expected to begin sometime in 2020.
Effect on Traffic
At times during construction, traffic along North Valley and Gavilan Peak parkways will be redirected to the opposite side of the roadway adjacent to the construction route, with one lane functional at all times. Light traffic restrictions will also occur at Carefree Highway. No traffic restrictions along I-17 are expected when workers tunnel under the freeway, Bracken said.
Construction will start with boring a tunnel under Carefree Highway at North Valley Parkway, before moving northward to two points along Gavilan Peak Parkway and another under I-17, south of Pioneer Road.
Temporary driveway closures will occur at local businesses along the construction route, but the city says any closures would be brief and the city will work to maintain accessibility.
The bulk of the construction will take place Monday–Friday, 5 a.m.–4 p.m., with possible occasional weekend work. For updates and questions on the project, residents can contact the project hotline at 480-281-1506.
