Birmingham, Area 2 – Kansas City, Missouri

After a federal judge decreed in 2010 that the City of Kansas City, Missouri, needed to reduce the volume and frequency of wet weather sewer overflows into local creeks and rivers, the city began a long-standing partnership with Havens Construction to perform much of the rehabilitation work.

The 30-year, multibillion-dollar infrastructure investment began in 2012 with Havens working on the first project of the Smart Sewer program. Since then, the city has been working to address needed improvements to its vast sewer system, which extends more than 3,400 miles and dates back nearly 150 years in some areas.

“We were excited to save so much taxpayer money and complete these much-needed improvements in this area of the city.”

– John Bennett, Havens project superintendent

Havens continues this work today with the $9 million Birmingham Area 2 project, located in Kansas City’s Northland near Vivion Road and I-35. While the sewer infrastructure is relatively new compared to other areas of the city, some lines nevertheless date back approximately 50 to 70 years.

The Havens crew began working on the project in May 2024. Through the company’s value engineering process, the team was able to save the city more than $1 million by converting much of the work originally budgeted for full digs to minimally invasive trenchless rehab. Requiring just small access points – instead of a full-site excavation – the latest in trenchless rehabilitation technology means long-lasting repairs with minimal disruption to neighborhoods. The no-dig technique is the economical choice for many municipal sewer repairs and pipe rehabilitations without disturbing the surface above.

Because of the significant cost savings, the city was able to expand the scope of the project, including the completion of 50% more T-liners than originally planned.

After using CCTV cameras to re-inspect the 69,129 linear feet of sewer pipe (more than 13 miles), the Havens team proceeded with point repairs, installation of cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) and lateral rehabilitation. The work also required contacting more than 1,000 homeowners and businesses to explain the process and reason for the project, as well as working closely with the Missouri Department of Transportation to work on highway easement areas.

“Communication has been key to this project, and we feel privileged to continue our partnership with the city,” said John Bennett, Havens project superintendent. “With the additional easements and working around walking trails and parks in the area, the project has been challenging, but we were excited to save so much taxpayer money and complete these much-needed improvements in this area of the city.”