Utility superintendent updates Board of Public Works and Safety on projects

Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 12:00 AM

By Kathy Bottorff

Donny Davidson, the City of Plymouth's utility superintendent, updated members of the Board of Public Works and Safety on several projects last week.

He was granted approval for change order No. 3 for the water improvement project for the water main installation on the east side of town. He explained the reason for the change, saying the original plans called for 1-inch valves, but they were 6-inch valves.

Davidson said the cost estimate aligns with other unit prices on the original bid. He said the city will save $26,000 by not purchasing the 1-inch valves but the 6-inch valves are $43,181. Taking into consideration the deduction for the 1-inch valves makes change order No. 3 an additional $16,935.64.

Davidson said he is watching the project closely, so it doesn’t go over. He said they have illuminated the flowable fill to fill the old 12-inch water main under the river which is a savings of $12,000.

The water main installation has run into issues with the railroad scheduling time to bore under the tracks. A subcontractor who specializes in borings wasn’t on the permit so it will take the railroad 30 to 60 days to review their application. The railroad also needs to coordinate inspectors and flagmen, and Davidson said he wasn’t expecting the fees to be $60,000.

The city’s utility superintendent said the project will shut down due to delays in railroad permitting and scheduling begin again in the spring.

The water tower restoration project is complete. There are a few small punch list items such as touch-up painting and lawn restoration. The tower is back in service and operating correctly.