City Council approves $1.4M change order for Oak Grove sewer emergency repairs

The Fall River Sewer Commission convened on June 5, 2025, to discuss significant developments regarding the ongoing water main replacement project, which has encountered unexpected challenges leading to a substantial change order.

The meeting began with a review of the project, initially focused on replacing water mains across various city locations, including Atlantic Boulevard and Oak Grove Avenue. The project, funded in part by ARPA, originally covered approximately 17,000 feet of water main replacement. However, as the work progressed, the need for additional sewer inspections arose due to the discovery of voids beneath the roadway during pavement grinding.

Paul, a project representative, explained that the sewer department had only dealt with change order number 4 and the current change order under discussion. The initial contract did not include the section of Oak Grove Avenue from Locust Street to New Boston Road, which was later added as a change order. This addition was deemed necessary to ensure comprehensive infrastructure improvements.

During the construction phase, significant voids were identified, prompting further investigation into the sewer system. The inspection revealed a partially collapsed sewer pipe, which had previously shown no signs of malfunction. The commission noted that the sewer system's age and condition could lead to similar issues in future projects, emphasizing the importance of thorough engineering assessments before commencing work.

The commission reviewed a change order amounting to approximately $1.438 million, which would cover the costs associated with the emergency sewer replacement. This change order is part of a larger total project cost of around $17 million, which includes both water and sewer work.

The discussion highlighted concerns about the engineering processes involved, with some members expressing that better initial assessments could have mitigated the unforeseen costs. The commission agreed on the necessity of improved engineering practices for future projects to avoid similar complications.

Ultimately, the commission voted unanimously to approve the change order, allowing the contractor, Bisco, to proceed with the necessary sewer repairs. The meeting concluded with a commitment to enhance future project planning and execution to safeguard against unexpected challenges.