News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Cookeville’s South Jefferson waterline replacement project came in some $2 million over what was originally budgeted.
Water Quality Control Director Barry Turner said the work will replace old lines from the courthouse to the interstate. He said the lowest bid came in at some $6.2 million.
“We’re wanting to go ahead, if you look at the other bids they were in the $8 million (range),” Turner said. “And when you look at the numbers, we just feel like the way things are going up, we just think our estimate was not updated.
Turner said if the project is awarded now, the company expects to be ready to start the work around October. He said getting the materials and the work to complete the project would carry over into 2025.
Turner said the work will go in line with the sewer extension project following that same path. City Manager James Mills said both projects need to be completed in order for the city to do a paving project on South Jefferson.
“The sewer project will move a whole lot faster, but this project has a lot of work in it,” Turner said. “The pipe itself is nearly $2.8 million, and there’s nearly $1 million of sidewalk and pavement replacement, curb and gutter replacement.”
Mills said Turner will have to shuffle some projects around that the city wanted to complete this year. The council will consider awarding the bid at its meeting Thursday.
