City tackling Arthur Street water line project

City public utility workers began working Wednesday to install valves where the ends of a new 6-inch water line will be installed along Arthur Street between Second and Fifth streets. The work will cause the three block section of Arthur Street to be closed for about four weeks.(Michael Pommier/Tribune)

In hopes of saving money, a city crew will replace a water line along Arthur Street rather than a contractor.

Fort Scott Director of Public Utilities Richard Cook said the project consists of removing the existing 2-inch steel line in the middle of the street which has suffered leaks in the past and installing a new 6-inch plastic line on the west side of the street. With the larger line, Cook said three fire hydrants will also be installed in the three-block area.

"There are no fire hydrants there because you can't have them fed with a 2-inch line," he said.

The water distribution crew will be doing the work with a view toward saving money on the project. According to Cook, contractor estimates for the project ranged from $50,000-$75,000, plus an additional $14,000 for materials. He said the city will be able to complete the project for about half that cost.

"The city will get that done for around $25,000 in cost, not including labor," Cook said.

The city's first attempt at using its own crews on a major water line project was completed in late spring last year. This entailed two crews replacing a water line along National Avenue from Sixth to Wall streets. The contractor's bid to complete the project came in at nearly $150,000. However, the city was able to complete the project for about $59,000 in labor and about $23,000 more was spent for materials.

As with the first project, Cook said he was initially concerned with taking a crew away from their day-to-day duties for a month, however, he feels there will not be any issues with this project. He said the crew that repairs sewer lines will take care of the water distribution crew's daily work for the duration of the venture. He added unless there are emergencies, there should not be any problems.

"We'll have other people that will try to handle (water leaks), but if it's a big thing we will have to pull someone off (the project) to help on that," Cook said.

He later added, "There shouldn't be any problems, unless something major happens. You can't plan for every possible scenario."

Just like last year's project, Arthur Street is scheduled to be resurfaced this summer as part of the 2011 Street and Sidewalk Improvement Program.

Sections of Arthur Street between Second and Fifth streets will be closed beginning at 7 a.m. today and will remain closed for about four weeks. According to a statement from the city, residents in the area may experience loss of water at times, but it will be kept to a minimum.