ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, May 8, 1996 TAG: 9605080024
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-12 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: DUBLIN
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
Bids on extending Pulaski County sewer service to Claytor Lake State Park proved higher than expected, sending the project back to the drawing board.
But the Pulaski County Board of Supervisors still hopes to find a way to complete the work by Sept. 27.
That was the deadline set last year in an agreement between the county and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, under which the state would pay more than $1.4 million on the sewer line project. The county was to do the design and construction.
Unfortunately, the low bid on the work came in $363,400 above what the state had agreed to pay. "At this time, the department has no additional funding available for this project," said Gary J. Hall, its director of design and construction.
The county has had Draper Aden Associates review the project to find ways to reduce its cost. The consultant has been able to cut about $30,000, by eliminating one pump station. But that would require upgrading one of the other four stations, and would curb the system's ability to serve other connections in the area.
One of the main reasons for county participation was to bring sewer service to other residents of the area.
Other savings could be realized by changing gravity sewer to an 8-inch force main, but this would also keep other connections from being made to the system.
Draper Aden also is considering changing the sewer line routes, and the most cost-effective placement of pumps. "Pulaski County is interested in any proposal which may allow the proposal to proceed," county engineer Ron Coake said in a letter to Hall.
The county must act on the bids by next week.
"We want to go ahead with the project," Supervisor Jerry White said at a board meeting Monday night. "There's a lot of benefits to be derived from going ahead with it."
Pulaski County will continue to negotiate with the state on the matter, and look for other possible funding sources. Help from area legislators will be requested by the board.
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