South Englewood Flood Reduction Project
The South Englewood Flood Reduction Project will reduce flooding in the South Englewood drainage basin by constructing new stormwater detention ponds and making stormwater pipe improvements. The stormwater detention ponds will be located along the west side of South Navajo Street, just south of West Radcliff Avenue. Pipe improvements will be made in the Rotolo Park, Stanford Avenue, South Navajo Street, and Oxford Avenue areas.
This project is estimated to cost $23 million and is funded by stormwater fees.
Construction Outreach
A notification was sent via mail to residents in certain effected areas in December 2023. Businesses impacted by construction along Navajo will be contacted by the contractor.
Construction Schedule
Construction bids were received in September 2023 with American Civil Constructors being the low bidder.
Groundbreaking for this project is scheduled for Thursday, February 22 at 3 p.m. at the southwest corner of the intersection of Radcliff Ave. and Navajo St.
The majority of construction is expected to be completed by summer 2025, with final work such as landscaping continuing into summer and fall.
Construction Impacts
- Sections of Quincy Street, Navajo Street and Stanford Avenue near Navajo Street will need to be closed during construction. Detours will be put in place to route traffic around the closures.
- Traffic control and partial lane closures will be in place on Oxford Avenue, Navajo Street and Stanford Avenue. Traffic can travel through these streets most of the time, but there may be delays.
- Heavy equipment being used will create construction noise. Construction hours will be limited to Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Limited night and weekend work may be needed under special circumstances.
- Materials, equipment, and debris will need to be delivered to and removed from the construction area.
- Rotolo Park will be closed for pipe installation and earthwork.
- Roadways impacted by construction will be restored and repaved at the end of the project. Temporary paving may be in place for a period of time before final paving takes place.
Project Elements
Stormwater Detention Ponds
The South Englewood Flood Reduction Project will construct detention ponds to reduce flooding. During rain events, the stormwater detention ponds will fill with water providing storage for runoff. When the rain stops, the stormwater detention pond is designed to drain within 24 to 48 hours following rain or snowmelt events.
Learn more about how a stormwater detention pond works.
Construction of the stormwater detention ponds will require demolishing existing buildings on property acquired by the city in April 2022. After demolition, many yards of dirt will be removed from the site to create storage for stormwater runoff.
New Pipe: Tunneling
To minimize impacts on residents, sections of new stormwater pipe will be installed by a machine that tunnels below the surface. This tunnel boring machine will install storm sewer pipe on Stanford Drive and Stanford Avenue west of Rotolo Park. Certain sections of road will be excavated to create boring pits, which will then be used to insert and remove the boring machine and install the new stormwater pipe. This tunneling work will allow residents to continue using Stanford Drive and Stanford Avenue near Rotolo Park during construction.
New Pipe: Open Cut Construction
A new stormwater pipe will be installed by open-cut trench excavation at several locations throughout the project site, including Rotolo Park, along Stanford Avenue east of Navajo Street, and along Navajo Street between Stanford Avenue and Quincy Avenue. Installing these pipes will require full and partial road closures and detours. This type of pipe installation is more cost effective than tunneling but impacts traffic more.
Existing Pipe: Rehabilitation
To carry more stormwater and to ensure reliable service, this project will also rehabilitate and or repair the existing stormwater pipe on Oxford Avenue from Santa Fe to the South Platte River west of Santa Fe Drive. Most of the repairs will be completed below ground by accessing the pipe from manholes at the surface. Short segments of pipe on Oxford Avenue west of Santa Fe Drive will require digging to repair. Traffic control will be needed at repair sites, but no full road closures are planned for this work.
Earth Work: Rotolo Park
A section of Rotolo Park will be regraded by moving dirt to direct stormwater runoff into the new stormwater pipes and stormwater detention ponds. This work will close a section of Rotolo Park for a period of time and disturb areas with existing grass. Any grass and landscaping impacted by this work will be restored after construction is complete.
*Pipe capacity needs based on a 25-year storm event of 1.66 inches of rain in one hour. CFS stands for cubic feet per second and is a measurement for flow. 1 CFS is equal to 7.5 gallons flowing past a particular point in one second.
A Cost-Effective Solution
The South Englewood Flood Reduction Project will enhance the city’s storm sewer system, allowing more stormwater to flow through the system from upstream locations, including areas near Acoma Street south of Tufts Avenue and Rotolo Park.
The City of Englewood realized addressing the challenge of localized flooding would be costly. The city contracted with engineering experts to identify and prioritize the most effective flood reduction projects and how to invest city resources wisely.
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Road Closure Updates 3/27/24
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As part of the ongoing South Flood Reduction Project, there will be some temporary road closures and detours to keep everyone safe and sound.
🚦 Navajo St. Detour:
S. Navajo Street will be closed from Stanford Avenue to Quincy Avenue in both directions.
For those wanting to travel south towards S. Navajo Street, please follow the detour route below:
- All traffic will be redirected onto eastbound Oxford Avenue
- Turn south onto South Broadway towards Belleview Avenue
- Finally, turn west onto Belleview Avenue to Windemere Street
Northbound traffic on S. Navajo Street will be detoured onto S. Windermere Street.
🚦 Westbound Quincy Detour:
Westbound Quincy Avenue will be detoured onto Jason Street. W. Quincy Avenue will continue to be closed at the Navajo intersection. Eastbound Quincy Avenue will be open to one-way traffic from S. Windemere Street towards S. Navajo Street.
Navajo St. between Oxford and Quincy is expected to reopen to two-way traffic in early May. Navajo St. south of Quincy will be closed and detoured until further notice as work continues on the new stormwater detention ponds. Pay close attention to detour signs and follow the designated routes.
The current phase involves sanitary updates as well as storm drain work. This crucial work aims to enhance our community's resilience and safeguard against flooding.
Who's Listening
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Phone 303-762-2510 Email rgrafman@englewoodco.gov
Videos
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Groundbreaking for the South Englewood Flood Reduction Project took place last week. This groundbreaking marks the location for the stormwater detention ponds and is a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to mitigate flooding in the South Englewood drainage basin.
Stormwater Detention Ponds play a pivotal role in reducing flooding by storing runoff during rain events. Once the rain subsides, these ponds are designed to drain within 24 to 48 hours, effectively managing excess water and minimizing flood risks. Additionally, the larger pond will serve as a recreational or passive open space once drained, further enhancing the community's amenities.