Huntingburg Council: Surgical option being explored for 4th Street water main replacement

Replacing the aged water main on historic Fourth Street is a Stellar Project that has caused some consternation with merchants and community members.

The explosive breaks over the past two years only accent the many other potential issues with the old pipe. However, replacing it using traditional trenching methods could have a large impact on the commerce and tourism in the area.

Knowing this, Water Utility Superintendent Todd Williams has been researching companies that offer a procedure to replace the water main without tearing up Fourth Street.

According to Williams, using technology that has been available since the 1970s, contractors can dig a hole to access the water main. From this point, they can reline about 300 feet of pipe without digging up anymore of the road. To do so, they will bore the pipe out; run a robot through it to inspect the line, and then insert the new liner.

“It’s basically like slipping a brand new pipe into the old pipe,” Williams said. “Additionally, if we do this, it will minimize the interruption of service for those businesses and residents in the area.”

The water main replacement project extends from Geiger to Van Buren Street, about three city blocks.

According to Williams, the procedure should be less costly than traditional methods to replace these lines and have much less impact on the businesses and traffic on Fourth Street.

At Thursday’s common council meeting, Williams proposed the city receive quotes from companies offering this procedure to complete the portion of the water main that runs under U.S. 231. The goal being that the city will avoid the expensive permitting and road closure procedure to replace the main using a traditional method.

Williams told the council he would also like to work with an engineering consultant during the process due to the impact on the treasured area of the town.

The council approved creating a committee to oversee the project and granted Williams permission to seek requests for proposals from engineering consultants as well as companies that offer the technique to repair the lines.[hr]

The council also took the following actions.

-Mayor Denny Spinner read and submitted a Resolution of Respect recognizing the service of former councilman Charles “Sonny” Cooper who recently passed away. He served on the utility board, board of public works and was a volunteer firefighter.

-Mayor Spinner also issued a Proclamation regarding a National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving for May 7, the National Day of Prayer. The council heard a group of pastors will host a Prayer Breakfast at the Old Town Hall on May 7. The breakfast will be from 6:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. and will be followed with a talk given by Rev. Mike Thompson and then several community leaders and members will lead prayers for different aspects of the community, state and country. Cost for the event is $10 per person and tables can be purchased for $80. More information is available by contacting the Huntingburg Methodist Church by phone at 812-683-4261.

-Approved exploring an after-hours call service to handle dispatch calls for the city utilities. Currently, the city has part-time at-home dispatchers. The call center is a potentially less costly option the city began exploring out of necessity after one of the part-time dispatchers resigned.

-Heard from Energy Superintendent John Reutepohler that Norfolk Southern is installing crossing arms for the railroad crossing on South Ferdinand Road. The railroad company is requesting power be extended from Sunset Drive or the nearest point to power the crossing arms. The railroad would like to have the project completed in two months.

-Approved purchasing two transformers from Brownstown Electric Supply in Brownstown for $15,730.

-Approved sending two energy department employees to receive thermal hot-spot training. According to Reutepohler, the training will allow the department to conduct monthly safety inspections of the city’s new substations more thoroughly with a heat detecting gun. The two will attend a five-day training in Indianapolis for $2,495.

-Approved purchasing materials from Utility Pipe Sales totaling $12,799.09 to install a new water main to the Lofts at St. Joseph’s project.

-Heard that the Dubois County Emergency Management will host a full scale exercise in Huntingburg on May 30. The exercise will involve a train derailment with cars carrying hazardous materials. The department organizes a large exercise like this annually.