Montevideo Uses Innovative Technology to Repair Historic Sewage System Without Breaking Streets

The Intendencia de Montevideo (IMM) is undertaking a significant urban infrastructure project in the Pocitos neighborhood, focusing on the rehabilitation of the historic Arteaga sewage system. Utilizing cutting-edge 'Liner' technology, the IMM aims to modernize this vital network, which is over 110 years old, while minimizing disruption to the daily lives of residents and the flow of traffic. This innovative approach promises to drastically cut down on construction times and associated costs.

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The new technology that is being used to reduce construction times to a minimum, without breaking streets or causing inconvenience to neighbors, is called Liner.

The Liner technology represents a leap forward in infrastructure repair. Unlike traditional methods that can take up to a month to complete, this technique involves inspecting and cleaning existing pipes, then inserting a flexible sleeve that hardens to form a new, durable conduit within the old one. This process can be completed in a mere two to three days, a remarkable efficiency that avoids the prolonged street closures and public inconvenience typically associated with such large-scale works. The chosen sections for this rehabilitation are along heavily trafficked streets like Benito Blanco, Avenida Brasil, and Bulevar España, making the non-disruptive nature of Liner technology particularly valuable.

The Arteaga network itself is a piece of Montevideo's history, constructed over a century ago with stone and brick. It serves a substantial area, covering 1,150 hectares and providing essential drainage services to approximately 105,000 homes in the city's central zone. The current rehabilitation project covers about two kilometers of this venerable system and represents an investment of roughly three million dollars. This initiative not only addresses the immediate need for infrastructure upgrades but also preserves a significant historical element of the city's development.

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What with a traditional method can last at least a month, with Liner the work can be finished in two or three days.

This project highlights Montevideo's commitment to leveraging modern technology for efficient urban management. By choosing a method that respects the city's fabric and its residents' routines, the IMM demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to infrastructure development. The successful implementation of the Liner technology in Pocitos could pave the way for its wider adoption in future projects across the city, setting a new standard for urban renewal in Uruguay.

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The most ancient in the city and one of the first on the continent, the Arteaga sanitation network was built more than 110 years ago, with stone for the walls and brick for the vaults.