900 South Storm Drain Project

Major Storm Drain Project to Improve Urban Runoff  in Salt Lake City

July 26, 2004

Construction is underway to build a major storm drain project. Work begins at the Jordan River. Pilings and constructed wetlands at the outlet of the drain are the first construction features.
On May 17, 2004 construction began on the 900 South Storm Drain Project.  The project ultimately will convey 208 cubic feet per second of urban run-off from Liberty Park to the Jordan River in a box culvert.  The $8.2 million construction project was awarded to Rolfe Construction Co. The project is divided into two phases: the first phase consists of 4,700 linear feet of 12 ft. x 5 ft. box culvert from the Jordan River to 400 West, and the second phase 2,600 linear feet of 9 ft. x 5 ft. box culvert from 400 West to Main Street.  Phase I of the project is scheduled to be completed by November 15, 2004; the second phase is scheduled to be completed on July 29, 2005.  

A key element of the project is a public outreach program with financial incentives paid to the contractor to lessen the impact on those residing in the vicinity of the project. The incentive payments consisting of two $62,500 payments in Phase I of the project and two $62,500 payments in Phase II of the project.  Total potential incentive payments amount to $250,000. The incentive payments are determined by the Citizens Advisory Committee, based on the performance of the contractor. “We are committed to doing everything possible to lessen the construction impact on local businesses and residents affected by this project,” says public utilities engineer Bernard Mo. “There is a strong financial incentive for the contractor to accommodate those in the construction zone.”

Incorporated into the project are stormwater facilities to improve the quality of run-off discharging into the Jordan River.  A one-acre constructed wetlands and settling structure at the outfall of the box culvert will improve the water quality in the Jordan River.

The project is part the Salt Lake City’s 1993 Storm Drainage Master Plan. The Plan identified 89 separate projects estimated to cost $70 million in 1993 dollars. When completed the project will relieve overloading of east to west storm drains on 2nd, 4th, 8th and 13th South Streets, alleviating upper mid-city capacity overloading, street flooding, and backwater effect at the Jordan River.

The street from 900 South between I-15 to Main Street will be reconstructed after the Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities stormwater project is completed.