Noise Concerns Due to Sewer Drilling
Following concerns raised by residents concerning construction noise related to the ongoing construction during the overnight hours, Mark Kataryniak, PE, Hopewell Township Redevelopment Consultant, met with the redeveloper, Lennar, regarding the operations, and discussed potential opportunities for mitigating potential impacts.
The overnight construction operations are associated with the directional drilling under I-295 for the installation of a casing (or conduit) that will carry the sanitary sewer force main from the Hopewell Parc project to the sanitary sewer collection systems within Ewing Township. The redeveloper has received all the required permits necessary for the construction operations and is working within the parameters of their permits for this construction operation.
Due to the nature of the construction operation, the drilling process requires a 24-hour operation and is expected to continue through March 15. The continuous nature of the construction operations is largely driven by the extent of time it takes to start up and shut down operations to reduce downtime and substantially increase the construction duration.
No hammering of the casing, which was determined to be the principal source of the objectionable noise that raised the initial concerns, is planned for the duration of the process. The contractor has ceased this operation, which should reduce the noise impacts. The redeveloper has also agreed to notify the Township if any operations beyond the current level of drilling become necessary before conducting any such additional activities. Should this occur, the redeveloper has agreed to coordinate planned additional activities with the Township before commencement to minimize potential noise impacts to the greatest extent practical.
Any blasting activity that will be necessary will only take place during daytime hours, and the Township will be notified before any scheduled blasting activities in advance.
The redeveloper will provide a direct contact for the job site foreman so concerns can be recorded and noted.
We have emphasized the importance of minimizing noise impacts to the greatest extent practicable, and the redeveloper has been responsive in seeking means to reduce impacts. The best approach at this time is to reduce the overall duration of the operations with an early completion of this necessary component of the project.
We will continue to monitor the situation.
