Water pipe replacement to begin on Gene Field

By Harry Loomis

Missouri American Water announced Thursday that they will begin replacing 3,900 feet of water pipe on Gene Field Road starting Monday.

The original 8-inch pipe has been in place since 1969, and will be getting replaced by a 12-inch pipe.

“I like to explain it as you’re taking a two lane road and you’re making it a four lane road,” said Christie Barnhart, senior manager of external communications for Missouri American Water. “So you can increase flows, which is something good in terms of fire protection.”

The project is expected to be complete by March 18. The stretch of Gene Field Road, between Pembroke Lane and North Belt Highway, will be closed on weekdays but will reopen on weekends.

“Most of the time what we have our steel plates that cover any areas of excavation where we’re actively working,” Barnhart said. “Even though the road would be open on weekends, they need to make sure that they are paying attention to their surroundings, not driving fast. We want to make sure that people in areas of construction put down their cell phones, drive slowly and just make sure of their surroundings and to stay aware.”

The city will be seeing 43,000 feet of water pipe get replaced this year. The hope is that the new pipe lasts even longer.

“Materials have evolved and improved over the years as to how long it will last,” Barnhart said. “There are a lot of variables that we can’t control. We certainly look for it to last a very long time.”