CLICK TO HEAR JACK HALL’S INTERVIEW WITH CITY MANAGER CRAIG CUGINI
The City of Ishpeming is moving full speed ahead on a $16 million dollar overhaul to its sewer infrastructure, using $8 million in state grants and another $8 million in low-interest, state-backed, federal loans. The plan is to replace or repair some 25,000 feet of sewer main, as well as fixing the roads above them.
Ishpeming City Manager Craig Cugini says they won’t be able to get started until next year because the roads have to be returned to a paved condition once they’re dug up. Even so, he says the city needs these improvements.
“Ishpeming is in its 150th year this year, and so wedo have an old town, much of it built before cars were even thought of,” Cugini told RRN News. “A lot of the houses don’t even have driveways. Much of our infrastructure is between 70 and 90 years old. The useful life expectantcy (of the sewer mains) was maybe 30 years. So, it’s time to do something, and we’ve been pushing really hard to get this funding. While it doesn’t solve all of the problems, this is a huge step forward for us.”
He says construction is likely to begin next spring, and the project must be completed by the end of 2026 per the terms of the funding.
“The contractor can order parts and do some things even yet this year,” Cugini said. “But they’re not allowed to do any cuts where the pavement might be distrupted.”
More details are in the CITY OF ISHPEMING PRESS RELEASE posted below:
The City of Ishpeming today announced a more than $16 million sewer infrastructure project that will include a combination of several components of the City Sanitary Sewer Infrastructure. The City plans to substantively address many of the items covered within the application process, including sewer main replacement, installation of a redundant main and necessary upgrades to the lift stations to provide a long-term solution to its aging infrastructure.
Once authorized by the Michigan Department of Energy, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), a Notice to Proceed can be issued to the contractor. The overall timeline allows for the project to be completed no later than December 31, 2026. Construction is likely to begin in the spring of 2024 with items being purchased and delivered, and site plans, milestones and other planning activities occurring this fall and winter.
“This infrastructure project will go a long way toward addressing many sewer system components, including the main line which consists of vitrified clay pipes, improving the functionality of our lift stations and installing additional sewer main adding redundancy for emergencies and reducing groundwater infiltration. These are long-term lifecycle replacements on a system that is currently more than 70 years old, and address challenges for the community,” Cugini said. “These improvements should limit additional strain on the system during high water events, as well as limiting the excess water flow to the Wastewater Treatment Plant.”
The project includes $8.025 million in grant funding through the American Rescue Plan and an $8.025 million bond from EGLE through federal Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) funding.
Through the project, approximately 25,000 feet of sewer main will be replaced or rehabilitated. To mitigate community impact, the City will require that any roads undergoing work are repaved before winter, as well as ensure contractors adhere to the City’s “dig once” policy, allowing any other necessary underground work to be performed parallel to prevent cutting through pavement and dirt multiple times. “Dig once” benefits include long-term cost savings, efficient use of resources and reduced burden on residents near a work site.
This project should make meaningful progress on outstanding infrastructure needs, including:
- Installation of new PVC pipe via open cut throughout the city
- Reinforcing existing pipes located in wetlands, the Carp River and other sewers where open cut is impractical
- Backup generators and pump replacements for all eight lift stations
- A new, 30-inch diameter Carp River sewer crossing installed via directional drilling that will provide a redundant crossing, which is critical in times of high water and heavy flow
The City plans on sharing more specific details around the project’s scope in the coming weeks. Once a Notice to Proceed is obtained, and a more firm timeline is developed, the City will provide regular communication to residents on the project’s status and potential impacts.
The City has enrolled two companies that are either headquartered or located locally to assist with this undertaking. The contractor for the project is Payne and Dolan, which has an office in Ishpeming, and the engineer is U.P. Engineers and Architects, which is based in Ishpeming.