A massive water line project by the City of Bridgeport is nearing its halfway point and barring unforeseen issues the way it has been handled could end up saving the city more than $100,000.

 

The project in question is the Belasco Waterline Upgrade. It began June 22 and Bridgeport City Engineer Beth Fox estimates the project is nearing the halfway point of completion.

 

When completed, the project will have upgraded a four-inch transite (asbestos) line, which will be left in place, to a six-inch C900 plastic water line.

 

“It totals nearly a mile of new waterline, and we will be installing new fire hydrants that conform to our fire standards and allow for better access in case of emergencies,” said Fox. “Several individual meters will be relocated as well.”

 

While several water projects are done under the direction of Fox’s office and with approval of the Bridgeport Utility Board, projects in the hundreds of thousands of dollars are usually bid out to contractors. Initially, that was the route being taken for the project serving the mobile home park.

 

“After reviewing the details with our public works department however, we came to the decision to perform the work in-house,” said Fox.

 

Fox said there were several reason city officials opted to go in this direction. It is often the same rationale used for other projects where the city has opted to utilize their own staff as opposed to putting it out to public bid.

 

“I am most comfortable with our crews being the ones to coordinate with the public and ensure their needs are being met with as little disruption as possible,” said Fox. “This is a project that is in tight quarters with residents and the upgrades to service lines are going to affect each home individually.”

 

Another big reason is Fox has confidence in the crews sent out and quality of work based on past performance. Along with that, these same lines are lines that the same crews installing them will have to maintain.

 

“Their efforts in building the system will have a direct effect on their future call outs,” said Fox. “While the project is very detailed and long, there are no extraordinarily hazardous conditions, which is always a determining factor in putting our crews on a job.”

 

A factor residents are glad to know is considered is cost as it is dollars from the Utility Board through revenue created by fees that help pay for the projects. And as Fox pointed out, in-house work usually comes in substantially less.

 

“The Belasco waterline upgrade project would have been near $500,000.00 if performed under contract.  There were many unknown conditions involving the tie-ins of the individual service lines, which could have resulted in high dollar change orders,” said Fox.

 

As for what it the exact cost to do this in house is unknown. However, Fox said her estimate is around $350,000 for a savings of $150,000.

 

“Given favorable weather conditions, we hope to be completed with this project in six weeks,” said Fox. “We will be testing lines (this week) and sections of Belasco park will soon be using the new system.  Valves have been strategically placed throughout the park that allows for lines to be isolated when needed.”

 

Fox offered more praise for the crews handling the job on behalf of the city.

 

“When a project involves this much coordination with residents, we like to ensure the concerns of the public remain a priority,” said Fox. “Our public works’ staff consistently satisfies that important element.”

 

Editor's Note: Photos by Ben Queen Photography.com.