The sound of car horns and delayed traffic have plagued Menchville’s primary intersection and stop light for the past few weeks. HRSD is installing 10,300 linear feet of sanitary sewer pipe and valves, the construction replacing a pipeline constructed in the 1970s to minimize the risk of pipe failures. Construction, which began in March, has taken route along Warwick Boulevard from Scufflefield Road to Boxley Boulevard, along Boxley to Menchville Road, and down Menchville to Riverview Farm Park, and when done will have run up an estimated cost of $8,000,000.

Besides impeding before and afterschool traffic, the construction has put another project on hold at Menchville. School adminstrators had hoped to allow Juniors and Seniors to design and paint their own parking spot this year. “We felt the project would give students a chance to showcase their individuality while simultaneously enhancing the overall look of our campus,” commented Pete Mercier, Menchvilles’ Activities Director.

Working closely with city construction, admin has hopes that by the end of October the construction will be completed, but things such as the weather provide setbacks and delays.

“We met with all of the construction people, and they assured us we were their first priority to get done,” said Joseph Edwards, Menchvilles’ Assistant Principal for Operations. “We had planned to number the spots, but couldn’t manage it this summer due to all of the dirt and debris. Hopefully by the spring we’ll have everything sorted out and done.”