It’s probably not as fast as many residents and some businesses want and it will probably never be enough, but upgrades to the storm water and sanitary sewer systems are on the way, City Engineer Tom Brown said.

 

The first big one as a result of the Phase I storm water study completed by the Thrasher Group will involve the Meadow Lane section of Bridgeport. This project is primarily on the storm water side of the ledger, but sanitary work will also be done.

 

“This was one of the first areas identified as needing addressed,” said Brown. “We’re already advertising for it and hope to get the bids in and get started.”

 

Contractors will have a chance to see what the project entails during a pre-bid meeting April 30. After that, the official bid opening will take place May 15. City Council will then be asked to formally approve the bid at the first meeting after the bids are opened, which is scheduled for May 26.

 

“This is certainly an area where there have been some water problems,” said Brown. “This will definitely be a six-figure project.”

 

While it’s among the first projects, it won’t be the last. Right now, the first major storm water project is in the completion phase at Compton Park. City staff actually completed that project that, at times, had Compton Park looking like a bomb went off.

 

“As soon as we get that finished with the cleanup, I believe we will have a few more storm water and drainage related project that we will do in house,” said Brown. “We have two that will likely be done for sure and we are considering a third one.”

 

Another project will be in a sanitary sewage project that is now in the design process, which means it’s much closer to starting. This project is for a sewer line that runs parallel to Pennsylvania Avenue through a hollow up to the general vicinity of Smith Street.

 

“There should be hundreds of thousands of dollars in projects getting off the ground in the next few months,” said Brown. “There will be a lot of work that’s going to be done.”

 

Editor's Note: Pictured is work being done at Compton Park where city staff has done both storm water, sewage and water repairs and replacement.