Projects & Initiatives » Project Updates

Water Projects

Print
Font Size: + -
RSS

Projects

Campbell Road Water Line Connection

Overview:  The Campbell Road Waterline connection project will construct a new watermain connection between Campbell Road and SW Cary Parkway. The watermain connection will improve water quality as well as the resiliency of the water distribution system.  

Schedule Update, Spring 2026: Bids were opened on the project on March 31, 2026.  Bid proposals are currently under review.  The project is expected to be awarded in April 2026.  Construction is expected to begin in late spring 2026.

Contact:
Inside the Town of Cary: Dial 311
Outside the Town of Cary: Dial (919) 469-4000

Critical Watermain Location Project

Overview: In 2016, Cary established a recurring yearly project to improve locating, mapping, and inspection of water system infrastructure in critical water transmission corridors. The corridors selected have older, non-metallic watermains, which can be difficult to locate and serve large residential and commercial areas. 

Past corridors include:

  • Lake Pine Drive from Cary Parkway to Versailles
  • Seabrook Avenue from SE Cary Parkway to Aridth Court
  • Seabrook Avenue from SE Maynard Road to Widen Court
  • Carnoustie Circle, Logan Circle, Cole Court, Avery Circle, Lee Circle, Fletcher Court, and Clinton Court
  • Kevin Way, Esk Court and Canty Court
  • SE Maynard Road from Walnut Street west to East Chatham Street
  • SE Maynard Road from Kildaire Farm Road to Walnut Street
  • Kildaire Farm Road from SE Maynard Road to Tryon Road
  • Holly Springs Road from Jones Franklin Road to High Ridge Drive
  • Walnut Street from Buck Jones Road to Cary Towne Boulevard
  • East Chatham from East Durham Road to NE Maynard Road
  • SW Maynard Road from Medlin Drive to Kildaire Farm Road
  • Chapel Hill Road at Aviation Parkway
  • Gregson Drive at US HWY 64
  • Evans Road at Chapel Hill Road and NW Maynard Road
  • Tryon Road and Cary Parkway
  • Holly Springs Road from Tryon Road south to Ten-Ten Road.

Schedule Update, winter 2026: Town staff are evaluating areas of need and will develop a scope of work for the next corridor in spring 2026. 

Contact
Inside the Town of Cary: Dial 311
Outside the Town of Cary: Dial (919) 469-4000

Farmington Woods Fire Line Extension

Overview:  The Farmington Woods Fire Line Extension creates a water main loop that improves available fire hydrant flow at Farmington Woods Elementary School.

Schedule Update, spring 2026: The design of the watermain connection is complete.

Contact:
Inside the Town of Cary: Dial 311
Outside the Town of Cary: Dial (919) 469-4000

Harrison Water Tank Rehabilitation

Overview: The Harrison Water Tank is an existing 1 MG elevated storage tank constructed in 1974. The tank interior was last coated in 2014. In March of 2022, Cary contracted with S&ME to perform a condition assessment of the tank. The condition assessment identified various areas of corrosion that are in need of rehabilitation both on the interior and exterior of the tank. This project will address the rehabilitation required at the tank to ensure its continued use well into the future.

Schedule Update, spring 2026: Coating application is complete.  The contractor is removing the containment system and de-mobilizing from the tank site.  Tank disinfection is scheduled for early April 2026.

Contact
Inside the Town of Cary: Dial 311
Outside the Town of Cary: Dial (919) 469-4000

Lewey Drive Utility and Street Improvements (Jenks Water)Lewey Drive Improvements Map

Overview: The Lewey Drive watermain will parallel existing watermains in the central pressure zone (CPZ).  The primary purpose of this connection is to provide increased water supply into the southern portion of the CPZ. This feed will reinforce the reliability of the distribution system in this area of Cary. The project will include a jack and bore under N.C. Highway 55 at Lewey Drive and approximately 5,800 feet of 30-inch, 24-inch and 12-inch watermains in the Brookstone neighborhood and along N.C. HWY 55, Lewey Drive, Fryar Creek Drive, and Jenks Carpenter Road.

Additionally, the project includes 650 feet of new sidewalk closing an existing gap on the south side of Lewey Drive.  Future projects may include full street repaving of Lewey Drive and Fryar Creek Drive with upgraded curb ramps at intersections.

Project Status Update

Project Update – Spring 2026

Construction continues to progress well on the Lewey Drive Utilities and Street Improvements Project. Multiple crews are working across the project area to advance water main installation and prepare for the next major phases of work.

Current Construction Activities

NC 55 – 12-Inch Water Main Installation

A dedicated crew is installing a new 12-inch water main along NC 55 north of Lewey Drive.  The northern portion of the new main is in service up to Bright Beginnings Way.  Beginning 3/30/26, a daily road closure of Lewey Drive at NC 55 is in place to allow the contractor to extend the new 12-inch water main across Lewey Drive, where it will be tied into the new 24-inch water main. This work supports long-term water service reliability for the Central Pressure Zone.

Lewey Drive – 24-Inch Water Main Installation
The new 24-inch water main on the south side of Lewey Drive is complete from NC 55 to Fryar Creek Drive.  Curb and gutter, sidewalk and landscaping restoration in this corridor is complete

Fryar Creek Drive - 24-Inch Water Main Installation
Beginning in April, the contractor will install the 24-inch water main down Fryar Creek Drive from Lewey Drive to Jenks-Carpenter Road.  Residents can expect daily lane closures around the construction area.

Additional Utility Activity in the Area
Separate from this Town project, residents may see contractors installing private utilities for companies such as Spectrum, AT&T, and Google. Cary is coordinating with these providers to minimize community impacts and reduce overlapping work where possible.

Traffic Reminders:
Lane closures and reduced speeds will continue along Lewey Drive, Fryar Creek Drive, and sections of NC 55.
Two-way traffic will be maintained where possible using flaggers.
Drivers should use caution when traveling through active work zones.
Disturbed grassy areas within the public right-of-way will be reseeded and restored after construction is complete in each area.

Please do not park on Fryar Creek Drive during this time to allow safe access for both projects.

Contact
Inside the Town of Cary: Dial 311
Outside the Town of Cary: Dial (919) 469-4000 

Old Apex Road Waterline Reinforcement Project

Old Apex Location Map 

Overview: This project includes the design and construction of approximately 8,100 feet of new water line down Old Apex Road between SW Cary Parkway and Maynard Road.  Water System Master Planning efforts have recommended that the water system in this area be reinforced by adding this additional line, increasing transmission capacity to the southern portion of the water system’s Central Pressure Zone.

Schedule, spring 2026: The construction contract was awarded to Teraflex Group, LLC. Construction began March 10, 2025 and the contractor has completed the installation of all of the watermain from Cary Parkway to Maynard Road.  The new watermain is being tested prior to being put in service. The contractor is continuing to install new sidewalk and complete restoration along the project corridor.  Final pavement restoration will be scheduled following passing tests on the new watermain.  The project is on schedule for completion in fall 2026.

Contact
Inside the Town of Cary: Dial 311
Outside the Town of Cary: Dial (919) 469-4000

Optimist Farm Road Watermain West

Overview: This project provides for design and construction of approximately 3,200 linear feet of 12-inch watermain along Optimist Farm Road running west of West Lake Road to Pierce Olive Road. Installation of this water main segment will provide additional water service capacity to meet periods of peak demand and high firefighting flow and provide watermain redundancy to the southeast portion of Cary.

In addition, an interconnect with the Town of Holly Springs' water system will be installed to provide resiliency to the southern portion of the Southern Pressure Zone.  

Status Update, winter 2026: Final design has been completed and initial bids received were rejected. Staff continues to look for a fiscally responsible way to construct this project. A readvertisement for bids is anticipated in June 2026.

Contact

Inside the Town of Cary: Dial 311
Outside the Town of Cary: Dial (919) 469-4000

Riggsbee Farm Watermain Project

Overview: This project includes the design and construction of a secondary water connection for the Riggsbee Farm neighborhood. This neighborhood is currently served by a single connection to the watermain along Davis Drive, this project will improve system redundancy by adding a second water connection for the neighborhood.

Status Update, winter 2026: Survey and evaluation of potential connection routes is underway, communication will continue with impacted property owners as a design is completed. Construction schedule will be determined following the completion of design, permitting, and acquisition of any necessary easements.

Contact
Inside the Town of Cary: Dial 311
Outside the Town of Cary: Dial (919) 469-4000

Ridgeview and Field Street Tank Rehabilitation

Overview:  The Ridgeview Tank is an existing 1 MG elevated constructed in 1994.  The tank was last coated in 2013.  The Field Street Tank is a 750,000-gallon elevated tank constructed in 2007.  S&ME recently completed a condition assessment of both tanks as part of Cary's routine maintenance. The condition assessments identified various areas of corrosion that are in need of rehabilitation both on the interior and exterior of the tanks. This project will address the rehabilitation required at each tank to ensure its continued use well into the future.

Status Update, winter 2026: Design of the rehab project is underway.  The project is expected to be advertised for bids in Summer 2026.

Contact

Inside the Town of Cary: Dial 311

Outside the Town of Cary: Dial (919) 469-4000