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Hertford updates infrastructure plan as contractors prepare bids for $14.9M water and sewer project
Summary
Hertford officials heard an HCAT update on roughly $16 million in grants, including a $14.9 million infrastructure award. Withers Ravenel will lead engineering; state approval of surveys and engineering is expected July 1, and detailed bid packages are planned for early 2024.
Larry Sandeen, chairman of the Hertford Community Action Team, told the Town Council on April 10 that recent grant awards — roughly $16 million in total, including a $14.9 million infrastructure grant — have led the town to commission detailed assessments of its water and wastewater systems.
Sandeen said Withers Ravenel was selected as the lead contractor because it “has qualified people, resources, and the knowledge to handle the complexity and extent of the work needed in Hertford.” He said the firm is using Sandeen’s assessments of the wastewater treatment plant and waterlines to shape the grant scope and that the town expects state approval of the surveys and engineering by July 1. Upon approval, he said, Withers Ravenel will move to detailed engineering and prepare bid packages for submittal in early 2024.
Why it matters: the engineering and bidding steps will determine how quickly the town can spend grant funds and begin construction of critical repairs to water treatment, sewer collection and treatment systems.
Sandeen provided specifics and project-readiness work: he reported the town plans to replace about 17,000 feet of sewer lines and has scanned roughly 6,000 documents and 350 drawings to make engineering records accessible. He said those scanned records will save grant dollars and speed project delivery by avoiding duplicated field work. "Seventeen thousand feet of sewer lines will be replaced," Sandeen said.
Council members and staff discussed timing and capital needs. Sandeen noted some future capital will be required for ongoing reinvestment and maintenance after construction. He also said some grant programs have restrictive language for waterline projects but that those restrictions may be loosening, which could allow the town to use certain funds for additional waterlines.
The council asked Sandeen for a physical report; Mayor Earnell Brown requested a printed progress report to be submitted to the town.
Next steps: With state approval of surveys and engineering expected by July 1, staff and Withers Ravenel plan to complete detailed engineering and prepare for bidding in early 2024. The council did not take a formal vote on design selections during the April 10 meeting.
