Omaha fast-tracks $65m CSO sewer works ahead of downtown stadium
City of Omaha, Nebraska · Meeting date: October 20, 2026 · Published: October 21, 2026
Omaha City Council has approved a $17.95 million amendment for Wade Trim Associates to expedite final design and construction-phase services for two early packages of the Northeast Omaha High Rate Treatment Basin scheme. The city says the wider CSO-control project carries an estimated construction value of $250 million-$300 million.
Key points
- Council approved a $17,950,125 Amendment No. 1 with Wade Trim Associates, funded through the Sewer Revenue Improvements (Bond) Fund.
- The revised scope fast-tracks two of four anticipated construction packages so underground sewer works can proceed ahead of the planned downtown soccer stadium and surrounding commercial development.
- The early packages comprise a $20 million North Downtown Conveyance Sewer and a $45 million diversion structure and screening facility at 11th and Izard Streets.
- The project is intended to reduce combined sewage entering the Missouri River during rain events and support Omaha’s Clean Water Act CSO-policy requirements.
Full report
Omaha City Council has authorised a $17.95 million amendment to Wade Trim Associates’ professional-services agreement for the Northeast Omaha High Rate Treatment Basin and Associated Projects, restructuring the consultant’s work to accelerate critical combined-sewer-overflow infrastructure ahead of planned downtown redevelopment.
The amendment covers additional final-design and construction-phase services for OPW 54630 and is financed from the Sewer Revenue Improvements (Bond) Fund under the city’s CSO Control Implementation programme. Council approved the measure unanimously.
A Public Works representative said the high-rate treatment-basin scheme will reduce the volume of combined sewage discharged to the Missouri River during wet-weather events, moving the city towards its obligation under Nebraska’s implementation of the federal Clean Water Act CSO policy.
The expanded Wade Trim scope is not attributed to cost overruns, the representative told the council. Instead, it changes the sequencing of work and adds construction administration so the consultant can focus on two priority construction packages. The purpose is to complete substantial underground sewer work before the proposed downtown soccer stadium is in service, avoiding conflict with the stadium and associated commercial development on former Union Pacific property.
The first accelerated package is the North Downtown Conveyance Sewer, described as a 72-inch pipe to be installed 70ft underground through rock. Its value was put at approximately $20 million. The second, valued at approximately $45 million, comprises a diversion structure and screening facility at 11th and Izard Streets. The facility is intended to capture debris and redirect flows before they enter the tunnel system.
Both construction packages are scheduled to come before the council on 3 November. Super Excavators is identified for the conveyance-sewer package, while Hawkins is identified for the diversion and screening works.
The two packages are the first half of four expected construction packages. The later works will include the principal treatment basin near the tank farm, visible from the park, according to Public Works. Total construction for the full scheme is estimated at $250 million-$300 million.
A council member asked why the city was extending the existing consultant’s agreement rather than seeking another provider. Public Works said the original engineering appointment had been made through a qualifications-based selection process and that it was normal to define final-design and construction-services requirements more fully as a project scope becomes clearer. Bringing in another designer midstream would be unusual absent poor performance, staff said, adding that this was not the case with Wade Trim.
This summary was generated by AI based on the source document and may contain errors.
Source: City Council Meeting, City of Omaha