First Hill System Improvement Project -Seattle Plumbers

First Hill residents recently received notice of an upcoming large Water System Improvement Project. Construction of the third and final phase of water system improvements for the First Hill neighborhood will affect the neighborhood residents throughout the upcoming construction. Construction will likely begin in mid to late March, and is expected to extend through the summer.

The First Hill Water System Improvements Project is the third and final phase of an extensive water infrastructure improvement effort for the neighborhood, designed to improve water supply and fire flow. In 2009, the City replaced the water main and system components on 72nd Avenue SE. Then in 2011, improvements were made to the First Hill Booster Pump Station, located at 74th Avenue SE and SE 32nd Street. By the time all three phases of construction are completed, the total project cost will be approximately $2.5 million. The cost for the final phase is estimated to be $1.2 million.

The contractor for this final phase of work will replace and upsize approximately 3,500 feet of water main, replace approximately 140 water services and seven fire hydrants, construct 13 water main connections, and make property and pavement restoration and other related improvements.

The boundaries for this project lie between SE 29th Street and SE 36th Street, and between 71st Avenue SE and 74th Place SE. During the construction period, residents could experience occasional water main shutdowns and street closures. The City will give residents advance notice of these events using postcards and door hangers. Information and project updates will also be posted on the City’s website (www.mercergov.org).