Franklin City utilities staff: Lowers Lane tank work delayed, pipe change order likely after wetlands rule change

At a meeting of the Franklin City Utilities Board, utilities staff said work on the Lowers Lane water tank is on hold until warmer weather and that a change order is likely for the water-main portion of the project after the state Department of Natural Resources revised wetland burial-depth requirements.

Utilities staff reported that the tank builder may not start exterior coatings until May and that the electrical subcontractor could do some internal wiring before then. Staff said contract A (pipe from Target to the tank) is essentially complete; contract B (tank site utilities and the run from the tank toward Saint Martin's Road) will be the subject of an upcoming change order because recent DNR guidance requires the water main to be buried deeper through wetlands.

"Pretty much the towers, we had a call this week with the tank builder. Pretty much it's on hold until May or weather where they can come and start their coatings," Utilities staff said. "Contract B is a tank and site utilities contract seal. We'll be starting…