The Voice of the Community Since 1909, Serving Moorcroft and Pine Haven, Wyoming
The Voice of the Community Since 1909, Serving Moorcroft and Pine Haven, Wyoming
As the workshop progresses, Councilman Paul Smoot discusses details of the schematic with Public Works Director Cory Allison.
HDR Engineering's water/waste water experts Noah Messick and Justin Stark presented the adjusted second phase of the Powder River Water Project at a work shop preceding Monday night's meeting.
When the infrastructure work began a few years ago, the Goshen project took first priority with Powder River the second, according to the Water Development LT Study, which recommended water distribution upgrades.
The Powder River Project, though, due to the size of the project, had to be divided into manageable phases. However, failures of existing lines including leaks and insufficient connections and valves from an antiquated system forced changes to those plans.
Because the funding was ample at the time, the Powder River Project was started with the Goshen Project, which benefitted the infrastructure upgrades at the time. Unfortunately, the line has been continuing to disintegrate so the plan now includes areas going into the Ellis Trailer Court due to leaks along with a couple other small areas that must be replaced as soon as possible.
The good news is that, according to Public Works Director Cory Allison, "This will finish off Powder River."
The bad news is the cost. According to Stark, "There are some items that have actually doubled [in price]; just being installed has nearly doubled. Everything – water line, fittings, hydrants, it's changing..."
As a construction contractor himself, Mayor Ben Glenn recognized the issue: "PVC has gone up 200%. It is what it is."
Messick warned council, "This is just a preliminary cost and I'm including some markup, too – possibly 20% extra... But, right now, we're looking at probably $5.9 million to $6 million." Glenn recalled the original cost of the entire project was around $6 million.
The State Land and Investment Board (SLIB) has yet to inform municipalities of the requisites for applying for funding this year. When the town receives this information, an application will likely be started, according to Cheryl Schneider, Clerk/Treasurer.
