Testing work for St. John's 'big dig' begins Monday

Testing work for next year's "big dig" on Water Street is set to begin in St. John's.

Crews will be begin cleaning city sewers on Monday and will test "trenchless technologies," a method the city hopes to use in 2017 to replace aging infrastructure in the downtown area.

• City of St. John's reviewing Water Street 'big dig' plans
• St. John's mayor hoping for cheaper, less disruptive 'big dig'

The trenchlessoptionis a cheaper and less-invasive way to replace the old sewer pipes, and has the potential of saving the city millions of dollars.

St. John's Mayor Dennis O'Keefe has come out in favour of the proposal, and said businesses in the area would be "delighted" if it could be used.

The trials begin on Monday and will see sewers in the block between Job's Cove and Clift's-Baird's Cove cleaned during the daytime, lasting three to five days.

"Sewer cleaning is crucial before determining the feasibility of trenchless technologies for Water Street infrastructure improvements," the city said in an advisory.

Parking will be banned in some areas during the week, but the city says two-way traffic will be maintained.

Cleaning for the sewer system between Job's Cove and Waldergrave Street will follow, but the city says no dates have been decided yet.