Starting March 20, Madison Utilities will start work to replace sewer lines on Larry Drive, Larry Place and Larry Circle. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – Madison Utilities has announced a major project to repair some of the underground sanitary sewer lines on streets in the Hughes Heights subdivision in midtown Madison.

Utility workers will replace sewer lines on Larry Drive, Larry Place and Larry Circle, just off Old Madison Pike. “These lines were installed in the 1970s, and some of these underground lines have decayed over time,” Wastewater Manager Mark Bland said.

“Madison Utilities will repair these lines so as to hopefully prevent a more serious failure in the future,” Bland said about the project, which he called “major rehabilitation.” “If you reside or travel on Larry Drive, Larry Place and Larry Circle, you will be directly impacted by this project.”

Generally, the sanitary sewer main is located in the middle of the street and typically is five to 10 feet below the surface. “Madison Utilities has televised the interior of all the lines in the Hughes Heights area and has determined that all of the clay mains are in need of replacement,” Bland said.

Known as ‘pipe bursting,’ the existing pipe will have a plastic liner installed inside the pipe. Workers commonly use this repair method, which minimizes the amount of excavation needed to gain access to the pipe, Bland said.

Madison Utilities will excavate each manhole and replace it with a new one. At each home, workers will replace service from the main to the edge of the pavement.

Work will start during the week of March 20. The estimated time to complete the project is 30 days, weather permitting. After Madison Utilities has completed its work, the City of Madison will repave the roads.

The Madison Utilities Board includes Chairman Terris Tatum, Vice Chairman Steve Haraway and directors John Allen, Gerald Clark and Keith Cook.

Madison Utilities’ office address is 101 Ray Sanderson Drive, just off Palmer Road. For more information about Madison Utilities, call 256-772-0253, email mbland@madisonutilities.org or visit madisonutilities.org.