DOT utility agreement prompts Greene County to create capital project for US‑13 waterline relocation

Greene County commissioners agreed to establish a capital project budget ordinance to accept Department of Transportation preliminary engineering funds for relocating an 8‑inch waterline affected by the State's US‑13 widening project.

Why it matters: The DOT project widening US‑13 will require relocation of an existing county waterline near the Wayne County line; the county must set up an accounting mechanism to receive DOT funds for design and bidding before construction funds are approved.

Details presented in the meeting A consultant identified as representing David & Associates described the project as the State’s widening of US‑13 from the Highway 70 bypass in Wayne County into Greene County, terminating near the Rodelvera Road intersection. The segment of county infrastructure affected is an existing 8‑inch waterline on the south side of US‑13; the consultant said the county will tie into an existing hydrant and relocate a hydrant currently on the north side. The consultant reported the DOT covers relocation through a two‑step process: a utility preliminary engineering agreement that funds design and bidding, followed by a utility relocation agreement that funds the actual construction after the county provides construction pricing.

Board action and next steps The board voted to create a capital project budget ordinance to accept the preliminary engineering agreement funds from DOT and to process the required activities to move the relocation toward construction. Staff said construction‑phase funds will be brought back to the board at a later meeting—expected in June—after the county receives construction pricing and DOT approves the relocation agreement.

Quote “These are funds completely provided by DOT based on reimbursement,” the presenter said, explaining the two‑step DOT funding process.

Implementation notes and limits of authority The consultant said DOT will reimburse the county; the funding is through DOT agreements and subject to DOT approval of bids and a utility relocation agreement. The county’s action at this meeting only established the capital project to accept preliminary engineering funds; it did not approve construction funding.

Ending County staff will return with construction pricing and a proposed amendment to the budget for the board’s future consideration.