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WPCA authorizes up to $1 million for Beacon Street sewer replacement; staff says rock excavation drove costs
Summary
The Norwalk WPCA approved a contract not to exceed $1 million with C.J. Fucci Inc. for the Beacon Street sanitary sewer replacement after staff said unexpected rock excavation and encased pipe work increased costs; the Beacon Street project is now about 50% complete and night work is planned for early July.
The Norwalk Water Pollution Control Authority on June 15 authorized the Chief of Operations and Public Works to execute a contract with C.J. Fucci Incorporated for the Beacon Street sanitary sewer replacement project (WPCA 25-2025-1), in an amount not to exceed $1 million.
Staff told commissioners the project has encountered unanticipated rock excavation, additional trenching and asphalt restoration needs and the discovery of 8‑inch and 6‑inch lines encased in concrete that required extra work. "The majority of the cost or the reason why we're asking for the million dollars is rock and trench excavation, and road encroachment, asphalt, and temporary asphalt," staff said during the presentation.
The decision followed a staff briefing that the Beacon Street work is approximately 50% complete: crews have installed about 886 feet of 24‑inch pipe, connected three service laterals to date and set eight sanitary sewer manholes. Staff said temporary bypass piping will be relocated down toward East Avenue after the July 4 holiday, and the contractor plans night work the week of July 6; staff estimated that East Avenue night work could take three to four weeks at worst before crews resume work on Sunset Avenue.
Commissioners raised whether the increase represented a change in scope or unanticipated conditions; staff replied the extra costs resulted from unforeseen subsurface conditions and not an expansion of the project footprint. During the vote, one commissioner (Manella) recorded an abstention; the motion otherwise carried.
The WPCA also reported coordination with DPW on bypass locations, and said VMS signage will be placed north by Wall Street and south by I‑95 to notify residents about night operations.
The contract authorization and construction update leave the Beacon Street project advancing toward completion while staff continues to monitor excavation and traffic-control costs. The WPCA did not set a new completion date at the meeting; staff said additional schedule details and the contractor’s timeline will be reported as the project progresses.
