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Laredo approves $11.3M trenchless waterline replacement contract to reduce main breaks
Summary
Council authorized a $11,314,949 contract to replace roughly 30,000 feet of high‑failure mains using pipe‑bursting trenchless methods; utilities staff say the approach reduces restoration costs, limits right‑of‑way impacts and should avoid hundreds of main breaks annually.
The Laredo City Council approved an $11.3 million contract on May 19 to replace approximately 30,000 linear feet of high‑break‑frequency water mains using trenchless ‘pipe bursting’ techniques.
Interim utilities staff and the interim executive director of utilities explained the procurement and prioritization: the program targets cast‑iron mains with the highest historical break counts across districts so each council district receives at least one project in the first phase. Staff said trenchless replacement saves an estimated $5.2 million per 30,000 feet compared with traditional open‑cut methods by eliminating the need for a second, parallel line and reducing design, traffic, and restoration costs.
Utilities leadership described the construction sequence: initial entry and exit pits, prefabrication and pressure‑testing of fused HDPE pipe, pre‑chlorination to specifications, and then brief service interruptions (usually a few hours) to flip customers to the new line. Staff will consider temporary service lines for continuous service where necessary. The department expects crews to mobilize in the weeks after contract execution and complete the phase by September.
Council members asked for district maps, timelines and public outreach; utilities staff said PIO materials and field updates will be prepared so residents can track progress.
The contract was awarded under a purchasing cooperative and funded from the 2022 water revenue bond; council approved the award after staff recommendation and a voice vote.
