Collingwood Drive CSO Elimination (11727)
As part of a long-term effort to reduce basement backups and sewer overflows, MSD Project Clear is constructing a project in the city of Olivette to separate a combined sewer into two separate sewers, one for stormwater and one for wastewater. This project is estimated to begin construction in the fall of 2027.
About the Project
Project Map
What is the goal of this project?
MSD Project Clear is investing approximately $1 million to separate the sewers in this area, increase the size of the wastewater and stormwater pipes and to disconnect sources of inflow and infiltration from 2 private properties in the city of Olivette. This project will reduce the likelihood of basement backups and sewer overflows in homes and businesses and will allow MSD to remove one constructed overflow point (known as a CSO) from its wastewater sewer system.
Project Facts
- Construction is estimated to begin in fall 2027.
- MSD Project Clear will construct approximately 165 feet of wastewater pipe and 815 feet of stormwater pipe
- MSD Project Clear will replace approximately 165 feet of wastewater pipe
- MSD Project Clear will rehab approximately 885 feet of wastewater pipe
- The pipe size will increase to between 8 and 15-inches in diameter, allowing a larger amount of water to flow through the system.
What can residents expect?
Though construction for this project is not estimated to begin until the fall of 2027 at the earliest, it is important to be prepared for what to expect. While much of the construction will take place in existing easements, MSD may need to obtain new easements from some property owners. Prior to construction, residents whose property will need to be accessed to construct the project will be contacted to obtain the necessary easements or to be notified of work that will take place in existing easements.
During construction, MSD’s contractor will put the pipe in by digging through the surface, a process known as “open-cut.” With any construction, residents can expect to see and hear heavy equipment during the sewer excavation process. The pictures above depict what a neighborhood will look like before, during, and after a typical project.
With any type of construction, residents can expect to see and hear heavy equipment during the sewer excavation process.
Traffic and Access: As much of construction will take place in the street, residents should expect temporary lane closures on Collingwood Drive, Collingwood Spur and Rear Drive. MSD Project Clear will maintain at least one lane of traffic at all times to allow residents to enter and exit.
Similarly, construction may lead to temporarily limited access to some properties along the construction route. Restrictions will be limited to active construction hours, and the contractor will notify property owners in advance of any access restrictions.
Restoration: After all new sewer pipes are installed, the contractor will restore the construction site according to all MSD and local requirements. This could include sodding any disturbed areas, replacing disturbed pavement, reinstalling fences, etc.
At least one MSD Inspector will be on-site part of the day for every day the contractor is working.
What is the timeline?
This is the current tentative project schedule. This is subject to change based on a variety of factors, including weather.
- Complete project design: Spring 2026
- Easement acquisition completion: Spring 2027
- Estimated construction start: Fall 2027
- Estimated construction duration: 9-12 months
Frequently Asked Questions
While MSD’s contractor is connecting a home’s lateral to the new wastewater sewer, they may ask residents to limit water use. In general, this process can take between two to five hours, depending on the complexity of the connection. The contractor will notify property owners in advance.
MSD does not anticipate other utility services being disrupted during this project. We will work with Missouri One Call to locate utilities before beginning construction. Occasionally, the contractor may run into utilities that were not located by Missouri One Call which could result in temporary utility disruptions. If this happens, MSD will work with the utility to restore service as quickly as possible.
Trees may need to be removed to construct parts of this project. If there are good options to avoid removing trees, MSD will make every attempt to do that. Property owners with trees that will need to be removed that are not located in already existing easements will have been compensated for the removal through the easement acquisition process.
In general, District policy is to restore affected areas to the same or better conditions than before the project. Streets that are disturbed through this project will be replaced and repaved with similar material. The project’s restoration will meet all local and District requirements.
During easement acquisition, an MSD Right of Way Agent will work with property owners to discuss restoration on their property. Most yard areas will be resodded with the same material. Driveways, walkways, and other hard surfaces will be restored using the same materials that are currently in place. In wooded ground areas, District policy is to seed the disturbed areas.
During active construction, some property owners may experience driveway access restrictions for a short period of time. The contractor will notify property owners in advance of any temporary access restrictions to allow them time to move their vehicles. The contractor will also fill trenches with gravel or place steel plates over trenches during non-working hours so residents can use their driveways during those times.
MSD will instruct its contractor to keep the site reasonably clean and clear of debris. MSD will have an inspector on site every day during active construction. Prior to the start of construction, MSD will give every resident and property owner along the construction site the inspector’s contact information. Community members are encouraged to bring any concerns to the on-site inspector or any other member of the project team.
MSD will update Frequently Asked Questions as the project manager receives questions.
Stay Informed
Sam Bush
MSD Project Manager
sbush1@stlmsd.com
314-768-2778
David Ecklund
Burns McDonnell
daecklund@burnsmcd.com
314-328*5436