Asheville, N.C., sewer project begins blasting for French Broad River pipeline crossing

(UI) — Blasting operations are now underway along the French Broad River as part of the Metropolitan Sewerage District’s (MSD) Carrier Bridge Pump Station replacement and pipeline project. The work, which began Sept. 22 and will continue through this week, marks the first phase of constructing new river crossings critical to the region’s sewer infrastructure.

According to MSD, traffic around French Broad River Park and Lyman Street is being halted during blasting periods to ensure safety. Warning signs and closures remain in place at both French Broad River Park and the west end of Carrier Park, which are restricted as active construction sites.

The project involves building four cofferdams in the river to allow crews to excavate and install sewer pipelines. The first cofferdam has been completed, with dewatering already underway. Excavation and rock blasting for the initial river crossing are in progress, with additional blasting scheduled as future crossings are built.

MSD awarded Cleary Construction a $12.9 million contract earlier this year for the river crossings, while Ruby-Collins, Inc. was awarded a $75.4 million contract to replace the Carrier Bridge Pump Station itself. The pump station construction is set to begin in early 2026, with the overall project expected to finish by 2029.

Officials emphasized that the upgrades are essential to handling future wastewater flows and to protecting the water quality of the French Broad River.

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