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Little Elm to replace failing Bigleaf Road transmission main; engineering contract moves project toward construction
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Summary
Town staff outlined a fast‑track plan to replace a failing 20‑inch transmission water line under Bigleaf Road with a new 24‑inch main and an adjacent 8‑inch service line; final design is expected in May, bidding will follow and staff hope to award a construction contract in late June or July.
Mayor Cornelius convened the Little Elm Town Council meeting, where town staff described plans to fast‑track replacement of a failing transmission water line under Bigleaf Road.
Jason (town staff) said the line that failed in January was already slated for replacement as part of a larger project but was pulled out and prioritized after repeated breaks. "We're gonna put in a brand new 24 inch water line, and then we're also gonna put in an 8 inch line where we will put all the new customer services," Jason said, adding the contract on the agenda is for bid and construction‑phase engineering services that will include a resident project representative (an on‑site inspector).
The nut of the plan is to accelerate design and bidding. Jason told the council the town expects final design plans in May, with a bid period to follow and a hoped‑for contractor award in late June or July; the engineering team estimates about a six‑month construction window once a contractor is on board but Jason cautioned that contractors often refine schedules after award. He also said the town will hold a small community meeting for residents adjacent to the line to explain impacts and timing.
Council members pressed staff on cost and disruption. One council member noted constituents asked whether the work would be completed by December; Jason said the town "believes that the project will be in closeout phase by December," but added that timeline depends on the contractor schedule and other contingencies. Council members also asked for advance notice of any planned water shutoffs; Jason agreed residents will be notified well in advance.
Staff explained the technical approach: the existing 20‑inch transmission line will be upsized to a 24‑inch trunk with a parallel 8‑inch secondary line that will carry new customer services to minimize future disruptions from service‑line breaks. Town staff and the council noted the failure was the latest in a string of issues on that trunk line, with an earlier problem recorded in 2020; the town is using an asset management plan, a water master plan and a recent impact‑fee study to help prioritize replacements across the system.
Next steps: the engineering contract for bid and construction phase services appears on the meeting agenda to permit the town to proceed to bidding; staff said they will return to council with a recommended construction contract award once bids are received. The town will hold a neighborhood meeting with directly affected residents after a contractor is selected.
Speakers quoted or paraphrased in this article are drawn from the meeting transcript and include Jason (town staff), Mueller (staff), Mayor Cornelius and council members who questioned staff about timing and resident notifications.
