Construction is underway on the replacement of manholes and sewer lines in North Carrollton.
This is the first of two infrastructure improvement projects involving drainage for which the city was awarded funds, according to North Carrollton Mayor Ken Strachan.
In February 2020, North Carrollton filed a declaration of emergency because of major flooding. The damage from high water resulted in the collapse of sewer lines and the temporary closure of South Street.
After this, Strachan and Water Operator Galen Shumaker met with state and federal officials to discuss recovery efforts.
“I am glad that we got the work in full swing for the project this week,” Strachan said in an email Thursday. “It was almost a year in working for these funds. The COVID-19 pandemic hit, and there were weekly meetings then held virtually with federal officials in seeking these funds.
“All that work has paid off, with the new infrastructure being underway.”
North Carrollton was awarded almost $324,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the repairs, which included replacing manholes, sewer lines and pavement where problems necessitated the use of a temporary pump.
The money “is a financial investment for improving North Carrollton’s infrastructure,” Strachan said. “We don’t have to raise rates or taxes for improvements, and the town will save big on the expense of repairs because we are replacing lines and manholes that are many decades old.”
In December, the Board of Aldermen awarded the project to bidder Double S Inc. of Grenada. According to the contractors, the construction of manholes will continue into next week with weather permitting. The last phase will be the overlay of the street with asphalt after a time of the ground setting up after construction.
In addition, North Carrollton received a letter in February from Gov. Tate Reeves saying that the town had been awarded almost $450,000 in a Community Development Block Grant for sewer improvements on the east side of town.
The grant will be used for new pumps, electrical control panels, security fencing and work at the town’s main lift station.
“It has been a lot of hard work to get funding,” Strachan said in an email. “Now, we are at the construction this week, and that will make a big difference with beginning the first project. We appreciate being awarded these funds to improve North Carrollton’s infrastructure. These two projects will result in the largest sewer expansion improvement for North Carrollton in modern times.”
- Contact Adam Bakst at 581-7233 or abakst@gwcommonwealth.com. On Twitter at @AdamBakst_GWCW.
