$2.1 million project brings homes public sewer system
BULLSKIN TWP. – A Connellsville contractor is expected to begin work this week on a multimillion-dollar sewerage project that will affect homes near Miedel’s Restaurant in Connellsville Township and in Merit Manor, Bullskin Township. Shallenberger Construction Inc. will construct a $2,121,086 sewage collection system as part of the second phase of a $5.52 million project undertaken by the Bullskin Township/Connellsville Township Joint Sewerage Authority.
Dick Widmer, vice president of Widmer Engineering, said Shallenberger is responsible for installing more than 30,000 feet of line during the next six months.
“This is a big piece of the pie,” said Widmer.
Widmer recently provided the authority with an update of the project’s status following a monthly construction meeting with the three contractors geared to address specific needs or changes the project may encounter.
Shallenberger is one of three contractors for the project, which is being funded with loans of $350,000 and $1.5 million from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) along with a $2.5 million grant through the Environmental Protection Agency.
Another $350,000 in matching funds is also being applied towards the project, which includes the $1,200 tap-in fee for residential customers while the fee for commercial users will be reviewed on an individual basis.
D&M Contracting Inc. of New Alexandria broke ground on the project in March and has since completed about 75 percent of a sewerage collection system in Bullskin Township along the Route 119 corridor and part of Pennsville. D&M’s contract totaled $2,349,642. However, the firm was able to save the authority about $50,000 on their part of the project.
The savings resulted in an agreement between D&M and the Bullskin Township supervisors regarding the restoration of Moyer Road by using selective materials to cover the pipe there.
Widmer said he expects D&M to be completed by the end of this month with the initial phase of the project.
Once Shallenberger finishes its work, D.T. Construction Inc. of Dunbar will construct three pump stations under a $537,000 contract. The stations will be located along Buttermore Boulevard and Demuth Road in Connellsville Township and along Moyer Road in Bullskin Township.
The overall project is expected to be completed within a year.