Project Overview

The Johnston Street, Abbotsford water main renewal is a proactive infrastructure upgrade that will support the essential service needs of the local community into the future.

These works will be delivered by Downer on our behalf and will be done at night to reduce traffic risks on Johnston Street and minimise impacts to local businesses, buses and commuters.

  • How long will works take to complete?

    Works will take about 18 weeks to complete, with an additional 3 weeks for reinstatement.

    We will let you know as soon as possible if there are changes to our work timeline.

  • When will works take place?

    Works will take place at night from Sunday to Thursday, between 7pm and 5am.

    We will be working at night to reduce our impact on peak-hour traffic, local businesses and commuters.

What do the works involve?

We will build 464 metres of new water main along the northern side of Johnston Street, Abbotsford between Lulie Street and Paterson Street.

The new pipe will replace the existing water main which was built in the last century and is reaching the end of its operational life.

What can you expect?

  • Works will start the week of Sunday 14 January 2024 and take about 18 weeks to complete with an additional 3 weeks to reinstate the area to its previous condition.
  • Working hours will be overnight from Sunday to Thursday, between 7pm and 5am.
  • We will work east to west along Johnston Street from the Paterson Street end of the works to the Lulie Street end.
  • There will be noise associated with the works, but we will do the noisiest works early in the shift whenever possible.

We thank you for your patience while we carry out this project.

Project Updates

Works have been progressing well with our crews now onto the second-half of the project having past the intersection of Johnston Street and Nicholson Street. This follows the successful transfer of property connections to the new water main along the first section of the alignment between Paterson Street and Hunter Street.

What works have taken place so far?

  • We have laid all the pipe in the ground under Johnston Street between Paterson Street and Nicholson Street.
  • The first section of new water main under Johnston Street between Paterson Street and Hunter Street has been commissioned, and all properties on this section are now supplied from the new water main.

What can you expect in the coming weeks?

  • We will now commence reinstatement of impacted roadways between Paterson Street and Hunter Street.
  • This process involves the installation of a concrete base, followed by asphalting and then red treatment of the bus lane. This takes place over several weeks to ensure the asphalt and red treatment have sufficient time to cure.
  • We will continue to lay the new water main along the second section of Johnston Street between Hunter Street and Rich Street throughout April 2024.
  • We will undertake commissioning of this second section of new water main between Hunter Street and Rich Street once all the new water main is installed.

We will continue to provide regular updates as the project continues and notify residents if there are any changes to our schedule.

The new water main on Johnston Street has been laid up to Hunter Street, and crews continue to work heading west. This month we should reach the Nicholson Street intersection and begin to supply the first section of Johnston Street with water from the new main.

The project is still running to schedule. We appreciate the patience of residents and the local community as this essential upgrade continues.

What works have taken place so far?

  • We have installed all the pipe along Johnston Street between Paterson Street and Hunter Street.
  • We have started commissioning the first section of the new water main between Paterson Street and Hunter Street.

What can you expect in the coming weeks?

  • We expect the commissioning of the first section of new water main between Paterson Street and Hunter Street to be complete by mid-March 2024.
  • We will transfer properties along this first section from the old water main to new water main soon after commissioning is done. Residents will be notified before the connection transfer.
  • We will reinstate the road surface above the new section of water main once all property transfers are complete. This also includes the ‘red treatment’ of the bus lane, which will likely be done in April 2024.
  • We will continue to lay new water main along Johnston Street, approaching the key intersections at Nicholson Street and Rich Street.

We will continue to provide regular project updates and notify residents if there are any changes to our schedule.

Works have been progressing well with our crews working towards the eastern end of the alignment near Paterson Street. We greatly appreciate the patience of residents and the local community whilst we deliver this essential upgrade.

What works have taken place so far?

  • We have laid all the pipe in the ground under Johnston Street between Paterson Street and Trenerry Crescent.
  • Although we encountered some rock around the alignment of our our water main, our overall project schedule remains unchanged.

What can you expect in the coming weeks?

  • Works will continue west along Johnston Street into February 2024.
  • We expect to commission the first section of new water main between Paterson Street and Hunter Street in early March 2024.
  • We will notify residents in advance when we transfer their property connections from the old water main to the new water main.
  • The road surface above the new section of water main will be reinstated once all the property connections have been transferred.

We will continue to provide regular updates as the project continues and notify residents if there's any change to our schedule.

Where are the works taking place?

The map below is interactive and will allow you to see where our works are taking place and also track our progress along Johnston St. We have also included the location of our site compounds.

Please note: the following map only shows the progress of construction of the new water main. Final reinstatement works will occur within 3 weeks of project completion.

How will traffic, cyclist and pedestrian access be impacted during the project?

Our works zone will take up one eastbound lane of Johnston Street and the following impacts can be expected:

  • Traffic around the work zone will be reduced to two lanes eastbound and two lanes westbound on Johnston Street.
  • The middle lane will be restricted to eastbound traffic.
  • Pedestrian use of the footpaths along Johnston Street will be maintained.
  • When the works zone is near the intersections at Rich Street and Trenerry Crescent, there will be temporary road closures in place. Cyclists and pedestrians will be safely redirected around the works zone.
  • When the works zone is near the Nicholson Street intersection, pedestrians will still be able to safely cross Johnston Street.

Please note: we will have traffic controllers on the ground to safely guide vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians around our works zone at all times.

What can you expect during works?

  • Changes to traffic conditions

    Changes to traffic conditions will include partial lane closures, reduced speed and impacts to parking.

    Traffic controllers will be on site to help vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians safely navigate the area.

    (please refer to the section above to find out more)

  • Construction noise and dust

    There will be construction noise and dust from machinery and vehicles during working hours. We will do the noisiest works earlier in the shift wherever possible.

  • Temporary bus stop relocations

    We will be relocating bus stops when our work zones are near them.

    Signage will be in use and dedicated traffic controllers available to

    help people access buses during our works.

  • Businesses are still open!

    Johnston Street will still remain open for business! We will be working closely with all traders ensuring it's business as usual for locals and visitors.

    Traffic controllers will be onsite during work hours to help you navigate the area and continue accessing your favourite spots.

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