Street repair, sewer lines discussed

Street repair, sewer lines discussed

 

 

Brian Smith
Contributing Writer
bsmith@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

The Elgin City Council heard estimates for street repairs and information regarding the status of current sewer lines at its meeting on Monday night.

            Councilmember Mike Baker provided estimates on street repairs needed on Main Street, Diagonal Street, Switch Street, and an alley near Elgin State Bank. The bank and the City will each pay its part for the work done in the alley, which includes some sidewalk areas as well.

            Baker also inquired how much had been spent last year on street repair in the area known as “Little Canada.” Work there had started but had not been completely finished. The council believes the work in that area will be done by the contractor at the original estimated cost and could be paid for out of the current budget, which has approximately $43,000 available in the Road Use fund.

            “The work on Main, Diagonal, Switch, and the bank alley could be done when the new budget goes into effect after July 1. The estimate for the work that would need to be done there looks like it would be approximately $31,000,” added Baker.

            City Superintendent Tom Martin reported that some sewer issues will need to be addressed in the “Little Canada” area before doing any street repair.

            In regard to sewer lines, Chuck Schrader from Municipal Pipe Tool Co., LLC was on hand to provide the council with information gained from televising some of the sewer lines in town. Martin had contacted Schrader to televise the lines in order to determine what repairs might need to be made.

            “There are some significant areas of root growth through the lines, especially at the joints. Some of the lines were also broken and blown out at the bottom and will require some work,” said Martin.

            Some of the lines could be repaired by using a liner, of which Schrader provided an example. The liner is made of felt and polyurethane and can be inserted into the existing line. It is soft and pliable going in, but then hardens once put into place and heated. Schrader also showed the council a video of the lining process.

            “The cost is estimated at $12,000 a block (from manhole to manhole) or $28 a foot. When you compare the cost with digging out a sewer line and replacing it with new pipe, it is about half the cost and also takes less time,” explained Schrader.

            After the presentation, the council asked Martin to go over all the information with Schrader and return to the next council meeting with possible options and cost estimates. Sewer line repair will be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.

            The council also asked Martin to provide it with information for needed repairs on one of the tornado sirens in town. Martin will research cost for repair as well as the cost for a timer that will allow for regular testing that does not have to be done manually. Siren repair will appear on the agenda for the next council meeting.

            Finally, a walk-through of the Center Street Project has been conducted with contractors and a representative from MSA Professional Services. Some cracks in the pavement and some areas of pavers that have dropped down were issues pointed out as needing repair. Mayor Bill Pfister indicated that he expected these repairs would be made at no cost to the City.

            The next regular meeting of the Elgin City Council is scheduled for 7 p.m. May 4, at the Elgin Public Library.

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