News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Sparta acquiring materials to begin a pipe replacement project for Quill E. Cope and North Church Streets.
City Administrator Brad Hennessee said the aging sewer lines have a history of leaks and overflow.
“That’s part of our paving projects,” Hennessee said. “We identify the worse areas in the sewer and water every year just as we do with the paving. We want to complete that work before the area is paved.”
Hennessee said the $326,000 project will consist of pipe bursting and adjusting man holes as needed. Rather than digging the pipe up, the contractor will fill it with air until fracture, and then, slip a new pipe where the old one was.
“They send a carrier pipe through the line that has a bladder on it that is filled with air and it causes the existing pipe to expand and break,” Hennessee said. “Then, they slip a new pipe in and make all the connections to the individual sewer lines.”
Hennessee said the city would like to have the project completed sometime in October before paving begins. Norris Brothers Excavating of Crossville will conduct the work.
“Usually, infrastructure is in about the same shape in regard to paving, water and sewer lines,” Hennessee said. “So, we try to do our due diligence on all three aspects before we do anything. Make sure anything underground is prepared and brought back up to new condition as we can get it before we pave.”
