Downtown Utility Infrastructure Improvements
Project Description

The Downtown Utility Infrastructure Improvements Project is a multi-faceted project that will replace the City’s underground utility infrastructure in the downtown area on Braddock, Cameron, and Piccadilly Streets.

Winchester is blessed with a long and unique history. A part of this history includes operating the third oldest water distribution system in the United States behind only Philadelphia and Allentown, Pennsylvania. Some of the existing water mains still in service in the core downtown area are 150+ years old.  While these old pipes have served the City well, it is imperative that the City replace this old infrastructure to ensure that a reliable and safe water and sewer service is provided for Winchester’s future.

In addition to replacing the water and sewer mains, other important infrastructure will also be replaced as a part of this project. The following summarizes all of the project components:

• Replacement of all existing water, sewer and storm infrastructure (mains and service lines)
• Storm Drainage Improvements at three intersections:
• Cameron/Cork
• Braddock/Cork
• Braddock/Piccadilly
• Sidewalk & Curb/Gutter Replacement
• New Decorative Streetlights
• Traffic Signs/Posts Replaced
• Parking Meter Posts Replaced
• Numerous New Street Trees
• Center Medians on Cameron Street between Cork and Piccadilly
• Streets Repaved and Striped
  
  

This project was originally scheduled to be completed in 2010-11. However, the project has been expedited to be completed this summer and fall in advance of converting Braddock and Cameron to two-way traffic. The total cost of all the improvements on Braddock, Cameron, and Piccadilly will be approximately $12 million, with the majority of that amount ($10 million) being on Braddock and Cameron. The City’s Utility Fund is paying for all the costs of this project by issuing water and sewer revenue bonds that will be repaid solely by water and sewer rates.

At the conclusion of the infrastructure replacements on Braddock and Cameron which should be completed by October 24, 2009, the City will be converting Braddock and Cameron to two-way traffic. This conversion should be completed by Thanksgiving. By expediting the utility replacement project from the original schedule of 2010-11, the cost to the City’s General Fund to convert both streets to two-way traffic will be less than $100,000.