WESTOVER — The funding is in place. The bureaucratic hurdles have been cleared and the project bids have been awarded.
But it’ll likely be at least four months before Westover residents see activity on Holland Avenue.
“The contractor for Holland Avenue has stated that he does want to wait until the end of February or beginning of March to start,” project engineer Doug Smith told Westover City Council. “I think that’s a good thing. What that does, it allows him to order all his materials and get those in stock. Then we’re not out busting up Holland Avenue when the cold hits, the asphalt plants shut down and we have to go through the winter that way.”
Blue Gold Development LLC was awarded the $2,963,637 contract for the work on Sept. 3.
The project will address the thoroughfare’s underlying issues by replacing approximately 2,800 feet of gravity sewer line and 3,000 feet of storm sewer line beneath the road’s surface. It will also include the rehabilitation of the Holland Avenue retaining wall.
Once underway, the construction will take place between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Smith said Holland Avenue’s sister project, the replacement of the city’s main pump station, is likely on a similar timeline due to the lead time on pumps and other components.
That project includes the construction of a new primary lift station, as well as the installation of 500 feet of sanitary sewer line and 500 feet of force main.
Green River Group LLC will handle that work for $2,958,025.
The pump station is responsible for pushing all flows out of Westover below the Monongahela River to meet up with the Morgantown Utility Board system.
According to Smith, there may be some initial boring work done this winter, but the project will begin in earnest next spring.
As MUB is currently operating and will eventually own Westover’s sanitary sewer system, Smith said he’s been working with the utility board to ensure a smooth handoff once the projects are complete.
“But be certain, this is still a Westover project. The contract is with you, and you have a contract with me to make sure that it is enforced. That still is in place, but in order to make sure there’s a smooth transition at some point, those guys are involved in it,” Smith said.
