Commission awards $23.4M contract to rehabilitate Ames raw-water transmission main using trenchless slip-lining

The Enid City Commission on March 3 voted to award a $23,402,893 contract to Insituform (Instiform Technologies LLC, Corinth, Texas) to rehabilitate about 10 miles of the Ames raw-water transmission main using trenchless slip-lining and 24-inch fusible PVC.

City engineering staff explained the scope: rehabilitate roughly 10 miles of 36-inch prestressed concrete cylinder pipe that was installed in the 1950s and is well beyond typical design life. Staff said slip-lining avoids open-cut replacement, limits surface disturbance (entry/exit pits only), and can provide a fully structural new pipeline with an expected long service life; the design calls for pulling fusible PVC inside the existing host pipe and grouting end treatments.

Insituform representatives Tim Petrie and Sean Garcia described the company’s experience with similar large-diameter slip-lining projects and said they can achieve long pull lengths (3,000–5,000 feet or more) using drilling-rod equipment rather than standard cable winches. Garcia described fusible PVC (DR-18) as a monolithic, fusion-welded system with a long useful life; the presenters told commissioners the approach minimizes environmental and landowner impacts and does not require new easements.

City staff noted the contract is tied to financing and administrative actions: the Indian Municipal Authority was asked to increase its financial plan by $9,402,893 to allow transfers supporting the $23.4 million project. The commission approved the contract and the associated budget transfer by separate motions; both votes recorded as 6-0.

What happens next: Staff will finalize contract paperwork, execute the buy-board/contract documents and coordinate construction planning; the contract term discussed is 365 days (one year) for project completion work.