St John moves forward on Wall Street water-main replacement after engineer cites cheaper directional-drill estimate

Dave Schilling of Robinson told the Waterworks Board the segment of main along US 41 adjacent to a new senior-housing development (about 600 feet) needs replacement and that initial quotes varied substantially. "We had gotten some estimates to bore a new water main, parallel. Those were about 160,000," Schilling said. He added that a lining quote returned at about $650,000, which he attributed to bends in the line and mobilization costs for a short run.

Schilling presented options: directional drilling for a parallel main, open-cut construction as an alternate bid, or lining if a longer reach could be included to reduce mobilization cost per foot. He cautioned the board that timing matters because the developer had not yet tapped the line and that delaying work could increase restoration costs if nearby lots are developed first.

Board members and public-works staff discussed pipe diameter (the main is 12-inch), coordination with the developer’s timeline and state right-of-way permitting. Gabe Hernandez (public works) and town staff indicated the area is a good candidate for directional drilling because there are no service lines to reconnect.

The board directed staff to give Dave Schilling the green light to prepare a task order and bring the task order back next meeting; the board approved the motion to open the task order for bidding preparation by voice vote, 5-0.