Ulena Storm Improvements (10779)
As part of the Stormwater Capital Program established by voter approval of Proposition S in 2024, MSD Project Clear is designing a project to install approximately 150 feet of stormwater sewers in the City of St. Louis. The project will add a separate storm sewer to carry excess runoff to a nearby combined sewer system.
This project is estimated to begin construction in the spring of 2026.
About the Project
What is the goal of this project?
MSD Project Clear is investing approximately $170 thousand in the City of St. Louis to reduce overland flooding and/or erosion of nearby homes, yards and streets. By adding stormwater sewers, the project will improve how stormwater is managed during typical storms.
Project Facts
- Construction is estimated to begin in Spring 2026.
- MSD Project Clear will install approximately 150 feet of stormwater pipe 18-inches in diameter.
What can residents expect?
Though construction for this project is not estimated to begin until Spring 2026 at the earliest, it is important to be prepared for what to expect. Since much of the construction will take place on private property, MSD will 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.
This project will be constructed using an “open-cut” method. During open-cut, digging is performed through the surface of the ground. The pictures above depict what a neighborhood will look like before, during and after a typical open-cut project.
With any type of construction, residents can expect to see and hear heavy equipment during the excavation process.
Traffic and Access: As some of the construction will take place in the street, lane closures are anticipated on Walsh Street. MSD Project Clear will maintain at least one lane of traffic at all times or otherwise provide detour routes 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 construction is complete, 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: Fall 2025
- Easement acquisition completion: Fall 2025
- Estimated construction start: Spring 2026
- Estimated construction duration: 5-6 months
FAQs
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 will need to be removed to construct parts of this project, especially those primarily along the sewer. 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.
Stay Informed
Christopher Betts
MSD Project Manager
cbetts@stlmsd.com
314-768-2718