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Commission approves $90,000 budget modification to replace water main under Grand/Thomas railroad bridge
Summary
The commission approved reallocating roughly $90,000 in the utility capital budget to replace an exposed water main under the railroad bridge at Grand and Thomas; staff said the work is a targeted patch using 8‑inch HDPE and new hangers to get through spring, with full reconstruction later when the bridge/project is replaced.
The Wausau Water Works Commission approved a $90,000 internal budget modification Jan. 7 to replace an exposed water main under the railroad bridge at Grand Avenue and Thomas Street.
Staff presented photos showing a pipe section with a band clamp currently stopping a leak. Scott, utility staff, said the pipe hanging under the bridge will be replaced and tied back into the cast iron at the abutment; the short‑term plan is to install HDPE pipe and new hangers, with a full reconfiguration to occur when the bridge and corridor undergo future reconstruction.
"The intent would be to put just HDPE in the place of this pipe here," Scott said, adding that the city typically uses 8‑inch mainline sizes for future work and would replace hangers during this repair.
Gene moved to approve the project and reallocate capital funds to cover the estimated $90,000; Robinson seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Why it matters: Staff described the work as a necessary repair to stop ongoing leakage and avoid emergency failures; the state owns the bridge approaches, so a full corridor reconstruction is a longer‑term project likely in the 10‑year horizon. Staff said the $90,000 allocation is a budgetary estimate and they will return if costs exceed that amount.
Implementation notes: The work will include replacement of hangers and installation of expansion joints; staff said the temporary HDPE should last until the planned reconstruction.
