Crown Point begins downtown interceptor project to relieve undersized pipes

Crown Point officials told attendees Monday that work has begun on a long-running downtown interceptor project intended to consolidate undersized sewer lines into a much larger main and improve flow control into the city's sewage plant.

Mayor Pete described the first construction area near the American Legion on Lewis Street and said crews will place a large, roughly 4-foot diameter pipe to accept many smaller pipes that currently run from homes and businesses. "We're putting a very large pipe down the middle of several city streets, and I mean, like a 4 foot diameter pipe," he said.

The mayor said the project will help reduce overflow problems and better regulate how much flow reaches the sewage plant. Officials expect the work to take about two years and said starting construction in two locations saved the city more than $1,000,000 in projected costs.

On storm separation: A resident asked whether the new interceptor separates storm and sanitary flows. The mayor confirmed Crown Point is a combined sewer overflow (CSO) community, and the interceptor will carry both stormwater and sanitary flow but allow improved control at the sewage plant.

Local impact: Lewis Street and several other city streets will be closed during work; the administration said it coordinated timing with the school corporation because some routes are near Bulldog Park. Residents with flooding or backups were offered a utility-staff follow-up.