Impact of work sites on daily life

Since all public utilities networks serving a district are generally installed at the same time, and since they all have a limited optimal lifespan, they often become obsolete at the same time.

Urban works are crucial for a variety of reasons:

• Repair and replace ageing utility networks and piping;
• Upgrade utility networks and piping;
• Carry out maintenance and upgrades to achieve compliance with new legislation and introduce new technologies;
• Improve safety and comfort for residents;
• Perform emergency repairs in the event of breakdowns or leaks;
• Maintain road infrastructure, including paving and flagstones;
• Make new connections for privately owned buildings, or upgrade existing connections;
• Improve local residents' quality of life.

Whenever possible, the City tries to group together the works that need to be carried out by different contractors into a single works project – known as "coordinated works" – to limit the duration of the works, optimise costs, and minimise constraints. For medium-size and major works, the City works with the project owner to prepare a phasing plan to ensure that access for pedestrians and motorists is maintained.

The City also organises information meetings, and has set up a "Construction Mediators" unit to help improve the exchange of information between residents and the City, gather suggestions, forward grievances to work-site supervisors, and keep the public updated on the progress of ongoing works, and on any changes that may arise as works progress, especially with regard to any impact on traffic and public transport services.

Managing a worksite in an urban environment can be likened to the work of an "orchestra conductor" who needs to operate within a restricted space, ensure that public services can continue without interruptions, and keep local residents safe... all at the same time.

The main challenges can be divided into four categories:

1. Challenges due to the environment in which the works are being undertaken:

• High user density: pedestrians, cyclists, public transport services, motor vehicles.
• Heightened safety: proximity to the public, risk of falls, collisions, machinery.
• Maintaining access to homes, businesses, emergency services, etc.
• Limited space: narrow streets, no storage areas, limited access.

2. Managing simultaneous operations and existing utility networks:

• Multiple managers and density of existing utility networks: sewage system, district heating, water, gas, electricity, telecommunications, public lighting, etc.
• Specific planning to ensure uninterrupted supply by utility networks, to avoid positioning conflicts, and to accommodate different managers' operations at the same time.
• Risk of uncovering unlisted infrastructure.

3. Organisation and phasing:

• Sequencing of work on different networks (from deepest to shallowest, and from least flexible to most flexible): sewage → district heating, water, gas → dry utility networks → road repairs/upgrades.
• Reducing downtime between the various parties involved (works conducted simultaneously or sequentially by different managers, such as CREOS, POST, the City's <em>Service Eau</em>, etc.).
• Working on weekends and at night may sometimes be necessary.

4. Restricted work-site logistics:

• Just-in-time delivery to avoid congestion and reduce on-site storage areas.
• Optimised positioning of work-site installations and storage areas to reduce the impact on surrounding areas.

In theory, the progression of a work site over time can be influenced by several factors, such as

• unforeseen events / unplanned (and therefore unscheduled) works;
• bad weather;
• nationwide events;
• and emergency situations.

Here are a few reasons why some trenches/excavations may need to be reopened after being closed:

• When works are phased, the works are carried out in phases to maintain safe and convenient access for people with reduced mobility, pedestrians, users of active travel options, and the emergency services.
• Laying of temporary pipework that will subsequently be replaced by permanent pipework.
• Laying of sheathing pipes and pulling of electric cables.
• Connections to private properties after mains have been laid.
• Events such as National Day, the Braderie, and sports events may require trenches in roads and pavements to be temporarily closed up.

For every project, a theoretical work-site end date is calculated. This calculation is based on the contractual duration (expressed as a number of working days), and any collective leave periods. However, bad weather and unforeseen events can also result in a longer duration than initially calculated. It must also be borne in mind that Saturday is considered to be a working day, and that works in urban environments are legally permitted between 7:00 and 22:00.

Here are a few reasons why there may be periods of inactivity at a work site:

• Water-mains work requiring pressure and bacteriological testing.
• Gas-mains work requiring pressure testing.
• Time required to ensure that certain works meet quality standards (e.g. drying or curing time, etc.).
• Safety reasons, risk of danger, or bad weather.
• Waiting for other operators to intervene.
• Collective leave periods in the construction sector (summer and winter).

This information must be communicated to the work-site coordinator as early as possible. The earlier they receive this information, the easier it will be for them to organise the works. The contact details for each work site can be found on the Ongoing construction projects page.

The City is committed to making residents' daily lives as easy as possible. However, in some cases, due to the nature of works being carried out, residents may not be able to reach their property by car. In that case, the affected residents will be notified in good time. However, pedestrian access will always be maintained.

The City does not issue "special works" permits. The traffic code applies at all times, and must always be observed. No exceptions are made for works.

The City's <em>Service Hygiène</em> (Sanitation Department) continues to empty residents' bins while works are being carried out. However, where a road is inaccessible to vehicular traffic, it is the contractor's responsibility to make sure waste is removed. In general, the contractor will move rubbish bins to a place that is accessible to the <em>Service Hygiène</em>'s trucks. However, residents must put out their rubbish bins on time so as not to miss the waste collection trucks.

Any damage that is identified during the works must be reported in writing to the College of the Mayor and Aldermen. In general, a complete inspection of the surroundings is carried out before the works begin, and the findings are recorded in a pre-works inspection report. Upon completion of the works, another inspection is carried out, and the findings are recorded in a post-works inspection report. Except in the case of emergencies, no action can be taken before the works are completed.