Improving Wastewater Infrastructure
Washington County, VA; April 15, 2024 – BVU Authority, a leading utility provider committed to community well-being, announces significant progress on its Sewer Shed Improvement Project, BC-1568. This transformative initiative aims to bolster the utility’s wastewater infrastructure, ensuring long-term reliability and sustainability.
With a total project cost estimated at $5,253,700, BVU Authority secured funding through the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Southwest Virginia Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Studies (SSES) Step 2 Construction Fund. This low-interest funding underscores BVU’s dedication to cost-effective, sustainable infrastructure solutions, with the funding application successfully submitted to DEQ in July 2022.
Key milestones achieved include the completion of initial surveying tasks and DEQ approval of the project design. Portland Utilities Construction Company, LLC, emerged as the project's low bidder, securing the contract with a bid of $4,818,423.19. BVU Authority issued the official Notice of Award in December 2023.
The project's next phases include pre-construction conferences and the issuance of the Notice to Proceed, marking the commencement of the construction phase. Spanning areas surrounding Bristol's King Mill Pike from North Star Baptist Church to the western portion of Vermont Avenue, the project will be executed in phases across eight areas.
To ensure efficiency and minimize disruptions, BVU will implement advanced techniques like pipe bursting, Cured-in-Place Pipe (CIPP), and dig-and-replace methods. Bypass pumping will be utilized to maintain uninterrupted service for customers, and water-tight manhole lids will be installed to enhance the system's resilience.
The Lane Group, a local engineering firm, will provide construction management services, aiming to reduce inflow and infiltration (I&I) into the collection system, enhancing performance and longevity. This initiative marks BVU Authority’s seventh major sewer system rehabilitation, showcasing its unwavering commitment to community well-being.
Responding to inquiries, BVU Authority confirms issuing the Notice to Proceed on February 5, 2024, with a project start date of March 1, 2024. The anticipated project end date is March 1, 2025. The project will result in a mixture of single and double travel lane closures, with work scheduled Monday through Friday, occasionally on Saturdays, from approximately 7 a.m. until late evening. Safe travel precautions will be implemented, and community members are urged to exercise caution when crews are near traffic.
For inquiries and information, please contact BVU Authority. Your understanding and cooperation during this essential infrastructure improvement are greatly appreciated.
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BC-1568 Project Area Representation Map:
