Installation of pipe for a redundant transmission main for Bradford City Water Authority is nearly complete, and contractors are preparing to pave dug-up roadways.
Executive Director Steve Disney provided an update on the project at Wednesday’s water authority meeting. He provided details after the meeting to The Era about what was discussed.
A total of 702 feet of the 24-inch transmission main has yet to be installed, with the final part to be connected to Reservoir No. 4.
“Final connections into Reservoir No. 4 have been delayed due to vault and valve supplier issues stemming from the COVID-19 shutdowns,” Disney explained. Those parts and equipment are scheduled for shipment in mid-September.
Two contractors were installing 33,400 total feet of pipe: Mortimer Excavating completed installing its 20,968 feet of pipe, and D&M construction has installed 11,730 feet of its total 12,432 feet.
D&M Construction is currently doing paving restoration on the project area, and Mortimer Excavating is planning for paving and restoration.
Disney said a bid opening was held Tuesday for the valve vaults electrical contract at Reservoir No. 4, and the authority accepted the lowest bid of $73,982 from Dave Kronenwetter.
The board heard updates about several other projects, too.
Mortimer Excavating has begun construction on an 8-inch water main extension out Kenmar Acres, said Disney.
“They have successfully installed over 500 feet of the new water main,” he said.” It is anticipated to take up to 60 days for completion, dependent on weather.”
However, another proposed extension — to be installed from St. Francis Drive into the Lafferty Hollow Industrial Complex to increase flow capacity to water service there — has hit a snag. The authority was unsuccessful in securing a grant to fund the project, which is estimated at $423,400.
The authority announced a new project: fixing a transfer switch on the 450W stand-by generator. Employees recently became aware of deficiencies in the generator’s ability to properly identify electrical outages. The estimated cost is $60,000, and the authority will reassign funds for 2020 capital projects to pay for the project.
Regarding the plan to replace two insertion valves this year, the board learned that Mortimer successfully installed one 24-inch valve Aug. 17-18. A second valve, a 20-inch valve, is set for installation in mid-September near Dorothy Lane at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford campus.
The authority has installed more than 70 new valves over the past three years across the water system. They are being installed in spots that crews historically have had difficulty securing an efficient positive shutdown.
