For residents in three areas of Bridgeport, some relief is on the way on the infrastructure front. Last week, the Bridgeport Utility Board (BUB) approved a near $375,000 sanitary sewage upgrade project that will replace a decades-old and failing sewer line.

 

The BUB approved a contract of $366,645 to Pro Contracting out of Lost Creek. They were one of three bidders for the project and the low bid as the other two bids came in at $425,800 and $478,500, said City Engineer Beth Fox.

 

“The low bid that was approved was right around the estimate for the project,” said Fox.

 

In the very near future, work will begin on areas along Ridgeway Drive, Arrowwood, and Rainbow Road. Work will involve replacing old Orangeburg line and replacing it with modern 8-inch sanitary sewer line.

 

On Ridgeway, work cover roughly 900 feet in the lower area of the roadway. On Rainbow Road, a lower portion there will be addressed to areas near Easy Street that covers 600 feet. On Arrowood Drive property between Arrowood and Wakefield will be down totaling roughly 500 feet.

 

“The existing line is collapsing, which is typical of Orangeburg,” said Fox. “When it collapses it causes problems throughout the line.”

 

Work on replacing Orangeburg, particularly in the area in which the current work is about to begin, dates back for years. Fox said the city has nearly remedied the situation.

 

“This is one of the last sections that we know of with Orangeburg,” said Fox. “We’re hoping this will be the end of it.”

 

Fox said she’s hoping to get the contractor in to begin work in November. A pre-construction meeting will be held Wednesday, Oct. 18, to go over the particulars of the project.

 

“Since they’re likely to get a late start weather very well could be an issue. We hope to be done with the project by the middle of spring,” said Fox. “Once the weather turns the vegetation can grow back and have everything back to its original nature.”

 

The project is being funded through the BUB’s sewer fund.