St. John's mayor hoping for cheaper, less disruptive 'big dig'

St. John's Mayor Dennis O'Keefe has his fingers crossed that exploratory work on Water Street will yieldpositive results.

This spring the city is going to do some testing to see if acheaper, less-invasive way to replace century-old water and sewer pipes fromWaldegraveStreet to Job's Cove will work.

It's looking at what city officials are calling "trenchless remediation."If it works, thetrenchlessmethod would require tearing up less of the street thanthe tradition method of replacing underground infrastructure.

"We're still not sure. What we have decided to do is go and explore that particular option and see whether or not the trenchless technology will work and whether or not it will work completely," said O'Keefe.

"So I'm hoping that once the exploratory work is done that the evidence will show that this trenchlessdig will work and I think the businesses on Water Street will be absolutely delighted with it."

O'Keefe say the city's willingness to look at the option of atrenchless dig is "anexample of the open-mindedness of city hall."

The city hopes this method, which Coun.DannyBreen saidhas been used before to do work on WishingwellRoad,would have less impact on downtown businesses, which have complained loudly about the city's original plans to dig up Water Street.

"It would be much better for the downtown areabecause it would certainly leave pedestrian traffic to move about much easier than a traditional infrastructure replacement," Breenhassaid.

Once this exploratory work is complete, staff will report back to council with a recommendation as to whether this is a viable option to pursue.

If viable, the project will proceed as planned in 2017.

Breen says if the trenchless method is used the cost of the entire project could drop from $20 million to $11 million.

O'Keefe says the city is doing everything it can to work with downtown businesses that may be affected by the work.

"I and council look at them as being in the heart and soul of the city and we will work with them to ensure that the work that needs to be done will be done with the very least disruption to them as possible," he said.