Infrastructure repairs made
By Kathy McCarty
PRESQUE ISLE — A number of projects around the Star City in recent weeks have caused minimal delays for motorists as heavy equipment and crews worked to make necessary upgrades to the community’s drainage and water systems.
Presque Isle Public Works crews were notified earlier this month of a catch basin cave-in at the corner of Church and Main streets. Crews responded and had the problem fixed that day.
A BROKEN WATER LINE on Main Street near Theresa’s Cafe was repaired this summer by a crew from the Presque Isle Water and Sewer District. Maine Public Service assisted, securing a utility pole while workers performed the repair.
“We fixed a catch basin that one of the sides had caved in, due to aging bricks. The bricks basically rotted away. We took out the damaged bricks and put in new ones,” said Gerry James, director, Public Works.
Traffic was only briefly affected as crews worked quickly to repair the basin.
James said his department has a few more such projects to do before the end of summer.
“There are a few more to do, but none to that extent. We’ve done most of them already,” he said. “It’s just time — wear and tear.”
Typically, James said Public Works does about a dozen or so a year. Work this year is ahead of schedule.
“We got done projects early this year because of the weather. We’ve done Lombard, City View, Canterbury, Dudley, State, Second and Mechanic streets — did quite a bit of road work and chip sealed about six miles of country roads,” said James.
The majority of Public Works projects fall under regularly-scheduled maintenance.
The Presque Isle Water District has also been busy this summer.
“We had a water main break at the intersection of Missile Street and Central Drive,” said Steve Freeman, director, PIWD.
Freeman indicated such things occur from time to time when pipes begin to age or the ground shifts.
“When pipes get old or sometimes there’s movement of the ground that then causes pressure on the pipes — it happens,” he said.
His department worked on the water line on south Main Street the same day Public Works repaired the catch basin.
“We repaired a water leak near Teresa’s Cafe. Maine Public was called in to help secure a pole while we did the work. Some of the city’s water lines pre-date the utility poles,” said Freeman.
Main Street traffic was reduced to two lanes as crews fixed the problem.
Most recently, Freeman’s department performed work on Parsons Street.
“A project to replace the sewer and water mains on Parsons Street began mid-August. The work included the installation of about 1,250 feet of water main on Parsons Street from its intersection with Park Street to the five-way intersection at State Street,” explained Freeman.
The work included the installation of about 1,500 feet of sewer main.
“Most of the sewer main work was in the same section of Parsons Street as the water main work. The other sewer main work was on State Street going northerly 400 feet from the five-way intersection,” he said.
The contractor for the project is Trombley Construction, who was low bidder at $433,005. Other bidders included: Northern Maine Paving, Inc., at $598,975; and Ed Pelletier & Sons, at $636,787. The consulting engineer for the project is Woodard & Curran of Bangor.
“The water main is being replaced because it is in poor condition and susceptible to breaking. The pavement condition of this section of Parsons Street provides visual evidence that a number of repairs have been made since the street was last paved. The sewer main is being replaced because it makes economic sense to replace the older sewer main at the same time as the water main,” said Freeman.
The sewer work will also eliminate two mains that cross private property, noted Freeman.
The new mains will improve the reliability of sewer and water service along that section of Parsons Street.
“The new water main will also improve public fire protection in the immediate vicinity of the project,” Freeman said.
A grant will cover part of the project’s cost.
“The sewer utility part of the project will be paid by grant funds from USDA Rural Development. The water utility part of the project will be financed with a 20-year low-interest loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund Program,” said Freeman.
Completion of the project, according to Freeman, should take place about three months from when it began in August.
“The project will interrupt traffic and residents are urged to avoid traveling on this section of Parsons Street while the contractor is working,” said Freeman.
