Evansville advances $2.2m water main relocation and sewer upsizing projects

Evansville advances $2.2m water main relocation and sewer upsizing projectsThe Evansville Water and Sewer Utility Board has approved an amended interlocal agreement to resolve utility conflicts on the Boonville-New Harmony Road project, while also initiating land acquisitions for the State Road 57 sewer expansion.

The Board approved a $52,704 amendment for the Boonville-New Harmony Road water main relocation, bringing the total estimated cost to over $2.2 million.

The cost increase addresses unexpected sanitary sewer relocations and vertical conflicts with storm pipes discovered during construction.

The Board also authorized $76,240 for initial easement offers across seven parcels to facilitate the State Road 57 and Kansas Road Sewer Replacement Project.

The State Road 57 project will upsize existing 12-inch and 15-inch sewers to new 24-inch and 30-inch lines, utilizing jack and bore construction under Kansas Road.

The Evansville Water and Sewer Utility (EWSU) Board has approved funding and land acquisition measures to advance two major pipeline projects, addressing complex utility conflicts and capacity upgrades. During its July 21 meeting, the Board approved Amendment No. 1 to an interlocal agreement with the Vanderburgh County Engineer's Office for the Boonville-New Harmony Road Water Main Relocation. The amendment adds $52,704.89 to the project, bringing the new total to $2,224,304.89. EWSU staff member Mitch Ferguson explained that the original November 2023 agreement covered 12-inch water main relocations prompted by road and storm sewer improvements. However, unmapped vertical conflicts with storm pipes discovered during construction necessitated two special sanitary sewer relocations and the addition of 14 45-degree bends to the water main. The approved amendment allows EWSU to reimburse the county for the additional utility work. The Board also advanced the State Road 57 and Kansas Road Sewer Replacement Project (U1212) by approving statements of the basis for just compensation totaling $76,240. The funds will be used to acquire 1.74 acres of permanent easements and 0.97 acres of temporary easements across seven parcels, allowing the utility to issue initial offers to property owners. Currently at 60% design, the project will replace approximately 1,400 feet of 12-inch and 1,700 feet of 15-inch existing sewer with new 24-inch and 30-inch pipes. Ferguson noted that the installation will utilize a jack and bore method underneath Kansas Road to avoid disrupting the intersection. In other business, the Board opened bids for two additional infrastructure projects, which were taken under advisement for review. The Morgan Avenue and Boeke Road water main replacement project received six bids ranging from $634,389 to $860,781. Meanwhile, the West Wastewater Treatment Plant HVAC Modification project received two bids of $1,238,560 and $1,246,133, slightly above the engineer's estimate of approximately $1 million.