Underground Steam Pipe Repairs to Commence Next Week

Upgrades to underground steam pipes in the South End will begin next week on West Newtown Street and continue in various locations for several months, Veolia Energy Boston, Inc. announced.

Tom Herlihy, Senior Director of Operations for Veolia, said 12 expansion joints need to be replaced with new technology. Aging expansion joints are often responsible for leaks in the system, as was the case recently on Harrison Avenue.  

To replace the aging parts, contractors will need to excavate an 8 x 10-foot area of the street and cut and weld new expansion joints, Herlihy said. The new joints will be x-rayed and insulated before the area is paved over. Contractors will also need to remove asbestos insulation from the old joints, Herlihy said. During that process, the excavation site will be completely sealed off according to protocol.

Construction is set to begin on June 13 along West Newton Street between Tremont Street and Columbus Avenue. During work, the street will remain open to traffic although parking will be limited. Crews are expected to be on site from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Work on West Newton Street will take roughly a month, Herlihy said. Crews will also need to work on joints on Columbus Avenue near the Southwest Corridor Park before moving into the Back Bay for repairs on St. Botolph Street and Huntington Avenue. One final joint at the corner of West Newton and Columbus Avenue will be completed in late summer.

“We have to maintain our system and that’s what we’re doing,” Herlihy said. “I think the overall investment is good for the city.”

Construction dates are subject to change. South End Patch will post updates to the scheduled as we receive them.