Charlotte Water approves $26M GMP for combined sewer expansion and stream restoration

Charlotte Water approves $26M GMP for combined sewer expansion and stream restorationThe utility has secured a guaranteed maximum price for the Toby Creek and Mallard Creek project, leveraging an interlocal agreement with Mecklenburg County to fund environmental improvements alongside infrastructure upgrades.

City Council approved a $25.95 million guaranteed maximum price (GMP) to RH Price, Inc. for construction services.

The project bundles the Toby Creek Sanitary Sewer capacity upgrade with the Mallard Creek Stream Restoration.

Mecklenburg County will provide approximately $6.26 million to fully fund the stream restoration component.

Council also awarded nearly $9.4 million in professional engineering contracts for various stormwater improvement projects.

Charlotte City Council has authorized a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) of $25,953,865 to RH Price, Inc. for Phases 2 and 3 of the Toby Creek Sanitary Sewer Construction and the concurrent Mallard Creek Stream Restoration Project. The approval, granted during the February 9, 2026 business meeting, utilizes a Design-Build delivery method to address utility capacity and environmental health simultaneously. RH Price, Inc. brings established familiarity with this dual-scope model, having previously delivered the Stevens Creek Trunk Sewer and Stream Restoration for Charlotte Water in 2020, in addition to ongoing work on the nearby Mallard Creek Interceptor. The project scope involves upsizing existing sanitary sewer lines to increase capacity in the Toby Creek Basin, located in Council Districts 4 and 5. Simultaneously, the contractor will execute the Mallard Creek Stream Restoration, which aims to improve water quality, enhance the aquatic environment, and better manage streamflow in what is currently described as a "heavily degraded, urban stream." A key component of the project is an interlocal agreement with Mecklenburg County. According to agenda documents, the county will appropriate $6,259,481 to the Charlotte Water Capital Projects Fund to cover the full cost of the stream restoration work. During the meeting, Council member Lawanna Mayfield highlighted the collaboration, calling it "a true partnership" and noting that the county is contributing 100 percent of the costs associated with the stream restoration. The city and county determined that combining the sewer and stream projects would limit disruption to the public and promote delivery efficiency. In addition to the wastewater investment, the council approved significant stormwater infrastructure spending. This included a $3.97 million contract to Hux Contracting LLC for the Blackmon Storm Drainage Improvement Project to replace aging infrastructure and reduce flooding in Council District 2. Furthermore, the council awarded five professional engineering contracts totaling up to $9.4 million to firms including Ardurra Group, Armstrong Glen, Dewberry and Associates, Land Design, and WSP USA for planning and design services on various storm drainage improvement projects across the city.