HOMEWOOD, Ala. (WIAT) — An ongoing sewer infrastructure project in Jefferson County is nearing the finish line after two years.
The project started in Mountain Brook and is now beginning its final phase in Homewood. Construction began Wednesday morning on Union Dale Drive and will work up Bonita Drive and then to Poinciana Drive before finishing at Hermosa Drive.
Helen Hays is the Director of Public Information for Jefferson County. She says the work will be completed in small sections, limiting traffic interruptions and allowing residents to access their homes.
“It’s not always extremely convenient to the citizens but we do try to do things in a short timeframe as possible and to make less impactful and do it in stages," Hays said.
As new homes and businesses continue to be added, the strain on the lines can lead to prevalent issues. This makes updating sewer and utility infrastructure throughout Jefferson County necessary.
“This is very important to the health and welfare of citizens for them to have a sound sewer system because if it wasn’t functioning properly, it would be a very big health issue,” Hays said.
According to Homewood City Council, some of the sewer lines in the Hollywood neighborhood are almost 100 years old. The Jefferson County Environmental Services identified the area as causing sewer overflows. When work is completed, the neighborhood will be repaved.
“We have been holding off, knowing that the roads were going to be torn up for this project,” Homewood City Councilor Jennifer Andress said.
The county does not have a timeline for when work will be completed.