News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Byrdstown’s Eagle Cove and Star Point water line project is expected to begin in the coming weeks after shipping delays set back progress.
Mayor Sam Gibson said the piping for the project finally arrived to city hall, but the contractor is still missing some supplies.
“Supplies are just not getting here as quickly as they liked to have,” Gibson said. “So, everything is just a little bit slower and taking more time. We are gradually getting there. I think hopefully they will be going here in the next week. At least no more than two.”
Gibson said the city needs to finish the project before mid-December, so it can apply to the next round of the Community Development Block Grant. Once completed, about 800 new homes will have increased water pressure.
“They are going to be changing out like 200 services, 150 services right here in the city limits,” Gibson said.
East Main Street, Sunset Drive and the intersection of State Route 325 and Highway 111 near Raj Market will also benefit from the new water lines.
James C. Haily and Company Consulting Engineer Zeda Harris said the project’s bid winner has submitted its pay request for the project during Monday’s Board of Alderman meeting. Cumberland Pipeline was the low bidder at $300,000 with an added $160,000 for requested materials and tools.
Byrdstown has been awarded the $520,000 state grant twice since 2017. The first used to rehabilitate the water system in the Bloomington area. Gibson said trying to solve the water leaks has always been a high priority.
In a separate James C. Haily and Company project, about a mile of 4-inch pipe down is being installed down Garrett Cemetery Road. The $30,000 project is being funded by a retired couple that is moving to the community. Harris said the town would be in charge of the pipe after completion.
About 3 gate valves are included with the 4- inch pipeline. Gibson said receiving new, stable water lines and residents at the same time is a deal worth taking.
“Again, everything that you got is more advantage to us,” Gibson said. “Throughout the system we need more. We need to isolate some of these leaks.”
In other business, the board approved $9,400 purchase of a new Spectrometer to measure sewer levels. The digital screen on the previous device malfunctioned after being used for 10 years.
