Residents of Novi's Cedar Springs Estates subdivision are dodging temporary bypass pipes in their driveways and navigating construction bumps as the city relines a water main that has broken repeatedly over the past decade.

The $2,016,667 project uses Cured in Place Pipe Lining, or CIPP, a trenchless method that inserts a structural lining inside the existing pipe rather than digging it up. Bypass pipes carry water from fire hydrants up driveways and into homes so service stays on during the work.

Novi City Council awarded the contract to Fer-Pal Construction USA LLC on April 13. Council members Fischer, Casey, Gurumurthy, Heintz, Martinez, Smith, and Staudt all voted in favor.

The vote was unanimous.

Construction started in June and is expected to wrap up by the end of August, according to WXYZ, which reported the story Wednesday, July 29.

Jeff Herczeg, director of the Novi Department of Public Works, told WXYZ the project will eliminate the recurring service disruptions that have plagued the neighborhood. He said the CIPP approach avoids tearing up concrete, damaging other infrastructure, or removing trees.

"It's the least invasive, so we're not damaging other infrastructure. We're not tearing concrete up. We're not losing trees, but we can actually replace the pipe with a structural lining," Herczeg said.

The city previously used the same CIPP method in the Westminster subdivision near Haggerty Road about two years ago, which informed the decision to deploy it again in Cedar Springs Estates.

Not every resident is thrilled with the process.

Steven Hamilton said communication from the city was "less than stellar" and that waking up to see pipes running through the neighborhood felt like a surprise. The city says it notified residents in advance.

Ruth Rickard, who said she has experienced five water main breaks in the past three years alone, called the work necessary but said she doesn't like the yard disruption. Rami Haddad pointed to a hole nearly 12 feet wide at the end of his driveway, noting he had just replaced his driveway, sidewalk, and pavers.

The city plans to repair landscaping and damaged concrete once construction finishes. Project updates are posted on the city's project page.

This project is separate from the $81 million GLWA replacement of the 14 Mile Road transmission main we reported July 22 and from the ongoing 12 Mile/Novi Road repaving project.