Typical construction durations shown are approximate. Actual duration may vary dependent on existing conditions, site-specific road/traffic conditions, and weather conditions.

For updated current information on when construction will occur in your specific area, please contact the Project Engineer, City of Palo Alto, Water-Gas-Wastewater Engineering.

FAQs for Construction of Major Capital Improvement Projects

Water Project Stages
CONSTRUCTION PHASE	DESCRIPTION	TYPICAL DURATION
Site Mobilization	Contractor moves equipment and material near the construction area or to their storage yard. Contractor marks the boundaries of the area for underground Service Alert (USA).	1 - 2 working days
USA / Survey	Underground Service Alert (USA) and City Survey Crew marks out existing utilities and proposed water main alignment on the street pavement with spray paint.	2 - 5 working days
Sawcutting	The Contractor sawcuts existing pavement as marked by the survey crew.	1 - 3 working days
Excavation	The Contractor removes pavement and excavates soil to prepare for installation of a new water main, fire hydrant laterals and services.	1-3 working days
New water main, services, fire hydrants, and existing services reconnection	The Contractor installs new water main by either directional boring method or open trench based on field conditions. Installs new services, fire hydrants, and reconnect existing water services.	2-6 working days
New water system pressure and leak testing	The new water system undergoes a hydrostatic pressure test at 150 psi.	8 hours.
Fill new main with water for disinfection & Bacteriological Test	A liquid disinfectant is injected into the charged system to kill any pre-existing microbial organisms. Water is sampled and taken to a laboratory for analysis.	48 hours
Service Transfer Connections	Once the Bacteriological Test has passed and written passing results are submitted, the Contractor connects new water piping into the water distribution system.	0.5-3 hours per service (this entails an individual water service interruption)
Backfilling	Contractor fills and compacts the ground openings with backfill material as the new main is installed.	Performed concurrently with the new main and services installation and connection
Install Temporary Pavement or "Cutback"	Temporary cold asphalt mix is placed on the backfilled area to temporarily restore the roadway service. If your street is concrete, steel plates will be placed on top of the trench in order for the concrete base to cure, prior to final restoration.	Performed concurrently with the new main and service installation, connection, and backfill
Final Pavement Restoration	The Contractor removes temporary asphalt pavement, steel plates, and restores pavement and all surface improvements to the preconstruction condition	1-3 days per block
Final cleaning	The Contractor sweeps the street affected by the project and removes USA markings.	1-2 days per block