City seeks contractors to clear diversion ditch as part of bond-funded ditch maintenance

The West Memphis City Council reviewed bid tabulations and heard a technical briefing on a bond-funded ditch maintenance project intended to restore the capacity of a diversion ditch that carries stormwater to the city pumping station.

Ward, introduced by the mayor as the speaker on the subject, described the ditch as the primary channel that moves water citywide to the pump station and said woody growth and beaver dams have reduced its carrying capacity. "This clears the trees out of the ditch," Ward said while explaining the planned work: tree and brush removal, beaver-dam clearance, reshaping of banks, and hydroseeding with Bermuda grass to maintain the intended cross-section and friction characteristics.

Officials said the work is part of the infrastructure bond passed last year and that the city received a limited number of bids, including two local bidders and an out-of-state field; a low bidder who also holds the South Loop contract was noted, which city staff said could reduce overlap of contractors working in the same area. Council moved to refer the bid tabulation back to administration for disposition.

Council members pressed for clearer maintenance oversight going forward; one member said engineering had previously kept ditches maintained and asked that the new city engineer prioritize ongoing upkeep rather than repeated studies. The city said the new engineer will help prevent repeat deterioration and that further bids and contracts will follow as the program advances.

Next steps: administration will review bids and return with a recommendation; staff said they expect further contract requests in coming weeks as crews remove trees, mop out ditches, and hydroseed banks.