underground tunnel below street with equipment

NS 12 – Collector System Improvements

Project Update

Work crews continue tunnel excavation and removal of material in preparation for the installation of the new collector sewer. Curious about what this work entails? Check out the new photos in the project resources section to get a glimpse of the crew’s work.

Project Overview

Since before 2003, MMSD has experienced hydraulic issues with the North Shore 12 (NS12) near surface collector system. This dual-purpose system conveys flows from the City of Milwaukee combined sewer in West Hopkins Street to the MMSD’s Inline Storage System (Deep Tunnel) when available and to Lincoln Creek during extreme wet weather events. Currently, the system cannot deliver enough combined sewage to the Deep Tunnel when it is available.

The NS 12 – Collector System Improvements project resolves to accomplish two goals. First, the construction of approximately 2,600 feet of tunneled 84-inch sewer will increase capacity to the Deep Tunnel reducing the risk of premature overflows. Second, the construction of 530 feet of double 72-inch by 120-inch box culvert will provide greater capacity to handle excess combined sewage during extreme wet weather events. The level of service for this improvement will only increase once the MMSD’s West Basin Stormwater Management Project is complete and online.

Partners

Project Map

Project Goals:

  • Help prevent unintended Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs)
  • Help prevent combined sewage from discharging to grade during large storm events

Timeline –

  • Design: Completed July 2023
  • Construction – December 2023 to June 2025
  • Post-construction – September 2025

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Project Resources

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    Work crew prepping the pipe before installing.

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    Lowering a length of pipe into the shaft.

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    Hanging turnbuckles for the cables that support an existing 84 -inch pipe while crews excavate around it.

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    Finishing excavating under the existing 84-inch pipe.