Minneapolis 38th Street Pipe-in-Pipe Rehabilitation (1-MN-341)

Understandably, the spread of COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus, has raised questions about the status of Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) plant and interceptor construction projects. Please note the following:

• Construction on wastewater treatment plants and sewer interceptors will continue. The contractors are following working environment protocols (asking employees to stay home if they are sick, social distancing, etc.) as outlined by public health agencies.

• Some project staff are working remotely while others remain on-site to ensure proper oversight of the project. Staff will stay connected through emails, conference calls, and web-based meetings to manage construction activities.

Contact information

For information regarding construction, please call the construction hotline or send an email to the contact information listed on the bottom of that project’s website.

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While the response to COVID-19 continues to evolve, we will continue to monitor and review construction activities and conditions through our field inspectors and their on-site reporting.

We will be using electronic communication methods to share information, should there be additional updates. Subscribe to updates by text or email.

Minnesota's response to COVID-19

The latest information on the state’s response can be found on the Minnesota Department of Health website.

 

Crews are cleaning the sanitary sewer pipe under 38th Street between Cheatham Avenue and Edmund Street. This work will require multiple periodic closures of 38th Street at select locations.

Cleaning will occur Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. and will include some Saturdays between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. This work is anticipated to be completed by the end of June, depending on weather conditions and the amount of debris in the pipe.
 

Cleaning Process

To clean the sewer pipes, one crew will use special equipment with hoses to jet water through the pipes and another crew will remove the debris and haul it to a licensed landfill. Crews will need to move this setup to several different locations to clean the sewer pipe in this area.

Once the hoses are set up at a maintenance access structure, they will remain in place until cleaning has been completed at each location. Each location is estimated to take one to two weeks to complete.

We will continue to do our best to mitigate noise and odors, but you will experience more noise and odors than usual while crews clean the sewer structures and pipes.


Example of sewer cleaning equipment