Construction

Overview

In the fall of 2020, construction began on the Yadkin Regional Water Supply Project. Construction activities will take place simultaneously at various points along the project route. Generally speaking, construction will begin at the intake facility and the water treatment plant, and the water supply and drinking water pipelines will be installed from east to west with starting points at their respective facilities. Work at intersections, stream crossings and other specialized locations may take place before other work begins nearby.

You will receive a notification postcard before construction activities begin near your property if:

You granted a utility easement or a temporary construction easement to the project.

Your property is next to the water treatment plant site in Union County.

Your property is next to the water intake and pump station site in Norwood.

Construction Timeline

Subject to Change

Water intake and pump station (Prep: Fall 2020 – Spring 2021; Construction: Spring 2021 – Fall 2023); Water supply pipeline (Fall 2020 – Spring 2023); Water treatment plant (Prep: Fall 2020 – Spring 2021; Construction: Spring 2021 – Fall 2022);Drinking water pipeline (Spring 2021 – Summer 2023)

What to Expect During Construction

Hours of Operation

Generally speaking, construction work will take place between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays. The project team does not expect to conduct nighttime and weekend work, but there may be exceptions in the event of prolonged weather delays or other unforeseen changes to the schedule. If this does occur, workers will still comply with local noise ordinances.

Property Impacts

Construction activities will take place on properties that have already granted a permanent utility easement or a temporary construction easement to the project. At each property, there will be a clearing period, a gap with no activity and then approximately two days to two weeks of installation depending on the size of the parcel and the characteristics of the terrain.

The construction team will communicate with property owners about potential impacts to driveway access and temporary mailbox relocation during construction. In most cases, utilities like water, cable and electric service will not be interrupted.

The construction work will take place within the easement areas, which generally follow one of these layouts:

Water Supply Pipeline (Roadside)

Water Supply Pipeline (Cross-country)

Drinking Water Pipeline (Roadside)

Drinking Water Pipeline (Cross-country)

Do you have questions about farming in an easement area?

Read our FAQs on construction, easements, and farming

Watch the project’s easement overview video

Traffic Operations

At some roadway intersections, the project team will use an underground construction method that will not disturb the surface of the road. As a result, the project team does not expect many major road closures or many detours due to pipeline construction. However, much of the pipeline route runs immediately beside roads with only one lane in each direction. In some cases, the lane next to the construction area will be temporarily closed to allow equipment and workers to move around safely. The project team will set up cones and signs and manage the flow of traffic in these situations.

Equipment

The project team will generally use a variety of machines and vehicles to prepare each site, excavate, install the pipeline and restore the site to its pre-construction condition. Topography, terrain, existing structures and other factors will determine the exact equipment in different sections along the route.

Examples of the types of equipment include: