Traffic impacts seen in Phase 2 of water-line project on South 21st St.

Springs Utilities crews work on a break in the 16-inch water main on South 21st Street, south of Bott Avenue. The line is being replaced. Phase 2 of the project will tentatively last from January to April. Westside Pioneer photo        Phase 2 of a major water-main project on South 21st Street is scheduled to kick off with overnight work Jan. 11-13, then continue weekdays from the week of Jan. 18 into April or possibly May.        As was the case in Phase 1 last fall, traffic will be affected. “There will be lane closures and traffic will be detoured around 21st Street,” Patrice Lehermeier of Utilities said. “The exact closures will depend on where the work is taking place that day.”        The traffic lanes will be open on weekends “as much as possible,” she said.        According to previous information from a Utilities project supervisor, the two-phase project has two main purposes:        - Replacing a 16-inch transmission line under 21st Street that has suffered frequent breaks.        - Using the opportunity to reconfigure the way water service is provided to the businesses between Bott and Broadway streets.        Phase 1 consisted of digging under 21st to install a new 8-inch water main between Bott and Broadway streets. The line was connected at Broadway to the 16-inch. The new 8-inch line now serves the businesses along that part of 21st. They had been directly connected to the 16-inch line, which put them out of service every time it failed.        Phase 2 will replace the 16-inch line between Broadway and Highway 24, the supervisor explained. Westside Pioneer article