Construction Streaming Along On First Avenue Sewer Lines

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By Tammy Gray-Searles
    “It’s going very smoothly,” said Holbrook Public Works Director Don Fischer about the $308,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project underway along First Avenue.
    The project is expected to be complete by mid-August, in time to meet the Aug. 30 final deadline to complete the work. If the work is not completed by the deadline, the city is likely to lose the grant funding and could have difficulty obtaining future CDBG funding.
    Work currently being performed includes replacement of sewer lines, installation of new manholes and construction of sidewalk ramps that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
    Sewer lines are being installed along Delaware Street, from Navajo Blvd. to First Avenue, and along First Avenue from Delaware Street to California Street. The new lines are larger than the old ones, and will help increase the system’s capacity. The new manholes are being placed along both Delaware Street and First Avenue, and according to Fischer, they have been sorely needed. The new sidewalk ramps, which will help bring the city sidewalks into ADA compliance, are being installed all along both sides of First Avenue, from Hopi Drive to Florida Street.
    Although the project initially called for replacement of more sewer lines, as well as repaving and curb and gutter work, construction costs skyrocketed between the time the grant was awarded and the work began. The project was scaled back to accommodate rising costs. The only areas where curbs and gutters will be replaced are those where they must be removed to perform sewer line work.
    Fischer noted that even though street work could not be included as part of the CDBG project, the city plans to improve the street in the upcoming budget year. The city council has set aside funds for street work in the 2008-09 tentative budget that will allow the Public Works Department to complete First Avenue as well as many other streets during the fiscal year.
    The CDBG funding was in danger of being lost, not only for the First Avenue project, but potentially for future projects as well. The grant was awarded in August 2005. In July 2007 the city was notified that it was in danger of being revoked due to lack of progress on the project and a lack of communication with grant administrators. The city was told that no extensions would be given and if the project is not complete by Aug. 30 deadline, the grant funding will be revoked.
    After the notice was received, the city learned that, because of higher construction costs, the amount of the grant funding would not pay for the entire project as planned. The city successfully worked with the state to change the scope of the project. Although the changes were approved, it was made clear that no additional changes would be considered.
    The project was then delayed due to a lack of compliant bidders, but was finally awarded to a contractor in April.
    Fischer believes that there will be no problem meeting the Aug. 30 deadline, as work is going quickly and smoothly.
    “It’s just moving right along,” he remarked.