MONROE - Not all of the water and sewer lines will be replaced as part of the $4.5 million reconstruction of 8th and 9th streets, according to Mayor Ron Marsh, but three aldermen confirmed Friday the project is needed to replace the lines.
"A lot of the street infrastructure (water and sewer lines) is completely collapsing, otherwise the street work wouldn't be happening," said Mark Coplien, member of the Public Works Board.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation will be paying for 80 percent of the road work, which includes widening, repaving and closing off the corner from 8th Street to 9th Street near Kwik Trip.
Utilities will be covering the costs of the water and wastewater line replacements.
Keith Ingwell, president of the Public Works Board, and board member Chuck Schuringa verified that the sanitary sewer lines are collapsing and need to be replaced.
They said they were under the impression that all the water and sanitary sewer lines would be replaced, while the street was open.
But Mayor Ron Marsh explained Friday that only some of the lines will be replaced.
About 300 feet of water lines will be replace between 7th and 20th avenues, and all lead services and most of the water gates will be replaced, at a cost of about $125,000.
The oldest water lines are 60 to 70 years old, Marsh said.
In some areas, water and sewer lines will need to be moved to comply with laws requiring their location relative to each other.
All of the sanitary sewer lines between 11th and 15th avenues will be replaced, but between 15th and 20th Avenue, only spot repairs will be made.
Eight fire hydrants and 15 new manholes will be installed between 7th and 20th avenues.
The cost for sanitary sewer work was estimated at about $343,000 in June 2009.
Marsh said he did not know how old the sewer lines were.
On Jan. 4, the Board of Public Works gave City Engineer Supervisor Al Gerber authority to seek bids on the construction work.
Contractors recently have been "willing to make very competitive bids," Marsh said.
Coplien said the Common Council has "not said yes to the project yet."
With a state grant approved, the Board of Public Works voted unanimously Jan. 5, 2009, to go forward on the reconstruction of 8th and 9th streets starting with property acquisition along the route. Council approved the last parcel acquisitions Dec. 15.
The street will be widened by four feet on each side.
The city began planning for the project in April 2003. The original cost for the project was estimated at $2.5 million.
The project stalled June 2006, because preservation of historical and environmental aspects had to be reviewed and the project approved, to allow grant money to be issued.
The forms should have been completed by state and federal departments by May 2007.
On Nov. 17, 2008, still without confirmation of the forms' completion, the Board of Public Works determined the city's cost to complete the project had risen to about $3.5 million.
Board members determined to do the project because the stretch of road lies over some of the city's oldest water and sewer lines. An increasing number of repairs to the lines was an indication that replacement was needed.
The state increased its grant funding to cover 80 percent of the street construction costs in November 2008. The grant is based upon the state's recommendation that land be acquired and the street widened for safety.
The entire project cost has increased to $4.5 million, and overshadows the original state grant.
When the state agreed to continue funding 80 percent of the current costs, board members picked up the original plans again.
"A lot of the street infrastructure (water and sewer lines) is completely collapsing, otherwise the street work wouldn't be happening," said Mark Coplien, member of the Public Works Board.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation will be paying for 80 percent of the road work, which includes widening, repaving and closing off the corner from 8th Street to 9th Street near Kwik Trip.
Utilities will be covering the costs of the water and wastewater line replacements.
Keith Ingwell, president of the Public Works Board, and board member Chuck Schuringa verified that the sanitary sewer lines are collapsing and need to be replaced.
They said they were under the impression that all the water and sanitary sewer lines would be replaced, while the street was open.
But Mayor Ron Marsh explained Friday that only some of the lines will be replaced.
About 300 feet of water lines will be replace between 7th and 20th avenues, and all lead services and most of the water gates will be replaced, at a cost of about $125,000.
The oldest water lines are 60 to 70 years old, Marsh said.
In some areas, water and sewer lines will need to be moved to comply with laws requiring their location relative to each other.
All of the sanitary sewer lines between 11th and 15th avenues will be replaced, but between 15th and 20th Avenue, only spot repairs will be made.
Eight fire hydrants and 15 new manholes will be installed between 7th and 20th avenues.
The cost for sanitary sewer work was estimated at about $343,000 in June 2009.
Marsh said he did not know how old the sewer lines were.
On Jan. 4, the Board of Public Works gave City Engineer Supervisor Al Gerber authority to seek bids on the construction work.
Contractors recently have been "willing to make very competitive bids," Marsh said.
Coplien said the Common Council has "not said yes to the project yet."
With a state grant approved, the Board of Public Works voted unanimously Jan. 5, 2009, to go forward on the reconstruction of 8th and 9th streets starting with property acquisition along the route. Council approved the last parcel acquisitions Dec. 15.
The street will be widened by four feet on each side.
The city began planning for the project in April 2003. The original cost for the project was estimated at $2.5 million.
The project stalled June 2006, because preservation of historical and environmental aspects had to be reviewed and the project approved, to allow grant money to be issued.
The forms should have been completed by state and federal departments by May 2007.
On Nov. 17, 2008, still without confirmation of the forms' completion, the Board of Public Works determined the city's cost to complete the project had risen to about $3.5 million.
Board members determined to do the project because the stretch of road lies over some of the city's oldest water and sewer lines. An increasing number of repairs to the lines was an indication that replacement was needed.
The state increased its grant funding to cover 80 percent of the street construction costs in November 2008. The grant is based upon the state's recommendation that land be acquired and the street widened for safety.
The entire project cost has increased to $4.5 million, and overshadows the original state grant.
When the state agreed to continue funding 80 percent of the current costs, board members picked up the original plans again.