Oct 3, 2002 By Joyce Koballa 2 min read

BULLSKIN TWP. – A New Alexandria contractor is expected to complete a sewerage collection system in the township over the next few weeks, with a final inspection of the project slated for Oct. 18. D&M Contracting is one of three contractors hired in February by the Bullskin Township/Connells-ville Township Joint Sewerage Authority for the installation of a $5.2 million sewerage project to parts of both townships.

Dick Widmer, vice president of Widmer Engineering, said D&M will continue to wrap up its part of the project over the next two weeks, completing minor details such as additional clean-up and restoration to properties along Route 119.

Representatives from the Department of Environmental Protection and the Army Corps of Engineers will participate in D&M’s final inspection.

At this time, D&M has completed 94 percent of the installation and also requested the last payment of the company’s $2,349,642 contract. Of that figure, D&M was able to initially save the authority $50,000, which resulted in another $2,000 savings under the final change order.

Shallenberger Construction Inc. of Connellsville is roughly 47 percent complete with its installation of a sewerage collection system to Connellsville Township, while D.T. Construction Inc. has yet to start the construction of three pump stations under a $537,000 contract.

Although the three contractors have a year to complete the project, Widmer stated that “time is starting to tick” for D.T.

Widmer added that when combined, the time expired so far on all three contracts is 55 percent.

In addition to the $52,000 savings, Widmer noted the authority is poised to receive another $60,000 in savings on the project stemming from another change order for asphalt work.

Since there is a significant savings, Widmer suggested the money be applied to expand the sewerage lines in areas that were bypassed in this part of the project. Widmer advised the authority to take action soon so that the engineering firm can design the addition and submit it to the Environmental Protection Agency for approval.

In an unrelated matter, Widmer said $348,190 in tap-in fees has been collected since Oct. 2, while the authority owes $449,000 in such fees to the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST).

Because the project is three-fourths complete, Widmer said the authority should not encounter any problem on meeting that figure. “In comparison to some other (sewerage) projects we do, that’s a pretty good number,” added Widmer.