A seven-figure process that has been looked at for years, but officially got kickstarted in June is on track to begin soon based on action taken in recent months by the Bridgeport Utility Board.

 

The process for design work is underway for a project that will replace a massive section of 10-inch Asbestos Cement Pipe (ACP) that goes under Interstate 79. The water line in question is 50-plus years old and failure of it could create significant issues for residents fed by that line as well as the businesses around Emily Drive, Lodgeville Road, and Platinum Drive, among others.

 

In September, The Thrasher Group was awarded the design portion of the project. Thrasher was interviewed for the project along with Stantec and Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.

 

The contract for design is not to exceed $89,100. City Engineer Beth Fox estimates the design will run 6 to 7 percent of the total project.

 

The project will be funded largely through a portion of nearly $4 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars from the federal government that Council gave its blessing to in June. Although projects do not have to begin until Dec. 31 of 2024 and the money spent by Dec. 31 of 2026, Bridgeport is already starting.

 

Council allotted $1.5 million of the ARPA funds for the project. The Bridgeport Utility Board has funding to assist as, or if, needed.

 

“We’re hoping for a January or February bid, or advertisement for bids,” said Fox.

 

The above-mentioned ACP pipe will be replaced from the Kovach Water Tank, located by the Wonder Bar. The line goes from there, down the hill near the old Route 50 crossing of I-79 and then across the southbound exit ramp of U.S. Route 50, under I-79 and ends at an area near Enterprise and Taco Bell at Eastpointe.

 

“We would put a 12-inch water line across there,” said Fox back in June, noting the new line would be high density PVC.

 

The project would require major boring working under the interstate. The casing used to facilitate the new line would be 24 inches. Despite the magnitude of the project, Fox said she does not see any interruption of traffic as a result of the work.

 

The good news is that the line is currently not a problem. However, ACP pipes have a history of failing and the pipe in question has been in place since the early 1970s, but likely prior.

 

Fox said at the June meeting that the line breaking under the interstate could be “disastrous” and that it would be best to be proactive. She added that leaving it as is will be a game of risk with consequences if a failure takes place.

 

The old line, however, will be kept in service, said Fox.

 

“There will be a valve where you can feed both, so we don’t have to take the one out of service (during the replacement) for two days,” said Fox at a September meeting of the Utility Board.

 

Dan Ferrell, PE, with the Thrasher Group, said at the same meeting the preferred method is to have both.

 

“The goal is to keep both of them valved and have a way to make sure the water stays fresh in there,” said Ferrell. Fox said she would prefer to have both and occasionally keep the old one active to have the security of two lines under the interstate.

 

Ferrell said the only potential issue with the project involves getting “certain environmental clearances” because of I-79 being a federal highway. However, he said he did not anticipate that, but working through federal agencies in some cases have “become an issue lately.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows City Engineer Beth Fox showing Council the project in question, while the bottom image is a close up showing where the line will cross the interstate and tie into the city's water line system near Enterprise on Emily Drive.