CHARLOTTESVILE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority is alerting the public to a big boom at lunchtime in the Fontaine Avenue area that will close the road for a little over five minutes. RWSA’s Westley Kern said in a release it’s part of the raw waterline project where it crosses Fontaine Avenue from Ragged Mountain Reservoir to the Observatory Water Treatment Plant. Blasting and night work are scheduled to occur in the coming days and weeks.

Kern says Thursday’s single blast will occur at noon which will help break and excavate rock more efficiently. All work has been carefully and conservatively designed by RWSA’s consultant engineer to protect property, and blasting permits are obtained from the State Fire Marshall.

The process involves drilling into rock and setting small charges. Heavy mats are laid across the surface to prevent loose debris from leaving the site. Before each blast, a localized siren will go off to signal the impending detonation. Each blast may generate a sound level up to 120 decibels and cause minor localized ground vibrations.

Due to Fontaine Avenue’s proximity to the blasting site, the road will close five minutes before the blast. It will reopen once the detonations are complete and safety personnel have issued the all-clear. Temporary recreational trail closures will occur on the O-Hill Long Downhill, Fontaine Multi-Use Path, and Gravel Doubletrack trails.

Click here for all the project information.