Open Trench Excavation is the traditional method of sewer construction and the most common method for replacing a sewer pipe, especially if the original pipe needs to be upsized. It consists of digging down to and exposing the existing pipe, removing the existing pipe or a section of it, installing a new pipe or a section of new pipe, and then backfilling the trench.

The work includes the following steps:

• Sawcut pavement and dig trench to install mainline sewer pipe
• Sawcut pavement and dig trenches from the mainline to the curb to install sewer service laterals that connect properties to the public sewer
• Install new mainline sewer pipes and laterals
• Cover open trenches with steel plates at the end of each day as needed while work is in progress
• Backfill trenches with sand or gravel and apply temporary asphalt patches
• Conduct quality control inspections
• Complete permanent pavement restoration of patched trenches after work passes inspections
• Repair any curb and sidewalk panels damaged during construction 
• Restore any vegetation disturbed during construction with top soil and grass seed