ASHEVILLE – A multimillion dollar Metropolitan Sewerage District project will build two new pipeline river crossings at French Broad River and Carrier parks, timed to coincide with restoration efforts in the heavily Tropical Storm Helene-damaged areas.
Pipes will be built under the river using a cofferdam — which creates a horseshoe-shaped enclosure in the water made of rock, earth and gravel. The area within is then drained and the line installed. A similar process is underway in Woodfin for the Taylor’s Wave project.
In-water work at French Broad River Park began Aug. 4. It is part of the $105 million Carrier Bridge Pump Station project, which will replace MSD’s largest pump station, built in 1966, that sits adjacent to French Broad River Park.
Tree stumps can be seen along the French Broad River at French Broad River Park in Asheville, April 30, 2025.
Work on the project started this summer at the once-lush city park, previously home to a dog play area and walking paths, that was ravaged in the September storm.
Earlier this year, tree clearing at the site of its new pump station raised alarm, especially when coupled with tree loss from flooding and contractor work during debris clearing.
MSD Director of Engineering Hunter Carson said in an April presentation to City Council that the sewerage district’s tree removal was “relatively minimal” when compared to the clearing at the park by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who were contracted for waterway debris removal within Asheville city limits.
The Army Corps, and subcontractor AshBritt, began working at the park in mid-January, Carson told the Citizen Times Aug. 18.
All downed trees and many standing trees were removed during the Corps’ cleanup process, he said.
“That work had nothing to do with MSD,” Carson said in an email. In early March, MSD cleared the site for its new pump station, a two-acre parcel to the north of the existing station. At the same time, it cleared approximately 15 trees along the river to accommodate the ongoing pipe replacement work.
Carson described the pump station as the “heart” of the system, serving about half of its service area, including south and west Buncombe County, and north Henderson County.
Improvements are essential to accommodate future wastewater flows and protect the quality of the French Broad River, according to MSD’s website. The entire project is anticipated to be completed in 2029.
Pump station capacity is the primary driver of the replacement project, but age and condition are also factors, Carson said. It will accommodate growth for more than 50 years.
The Metropolitan Sewerage District is replacing its Carrier Bridge Pump Station, adjacent to French Broad River Park. The work will include two river crossings. The first, shown in the image, is a 36-inch discharge force main crossing at French Broad River Park.
Cleary Construction, the pipeline river crossings contractor, will begin installation at French Broad River Park on the west side of the river. Once complete, the contractors will move to the other side, adjacent to Lyman Street. The first river crossing is expected to be finished in mid-January, Carson said. The timeline is subject to change based on rainfall and river elevation.
Once pipeline installation is complete, Carson said cofferdam material will be removed and any disturbed riverbank will be restored using natural bank stabilization, which might include a mix of riparian grasses and small woody vegetation.
Construction of the pump station, awarded to Ruby-Collins, Inc., for a $75.4 million contract, is expected to begin in early 2026, according to MSD’s website.
The park remains closed to visitors. Carson said despite signage and fencing, people continue to run, walk and bike through the construction area and he urged posted signage be obeyed, fearing someone could get hurt.
The city issued a request for qualifications for design services to rebuild the parks system on the French Broad River in April. Asheville City Council will consider a contract Aug. 26 to hire a team of design and engineering professionals.
The design plan will produce designs and cost estimates for priority projects identified and developed collaboratively with community residents, stakeholder groups and partner agencies, according to its project page.
Learn more about MSD’s project at https://www.msdbc.org/documents/projects/carrierbridge/.
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Sarah Honosky is the city government reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. News Tips? Email shonosky@citizentimes.com or message on Twitter at @slhonosky.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Two new sewer lines to be built under French Broad River
