Waterline project receives $1.38 million grant; paving should move forward on main Jasper artery

The City of Jasper has been awarded a $1,380,000 grant for a major water line expansion by the United States Economic Development Administration (EDA).

The award will be used to pay 50 percent of the expected $2,760,000 project.

State agrees to pave Jasper road if water main project proceeds

According to information released by the EDA, the investment will fund a main waterline expansion to support local business, retention of area jobs, and development of undeveloped land owned by the City of Jasper. The waterline expansion will improve capacity, reliability and distribution which will impact the areas economic vitality, ensure adequate infrastructure, and remove barriers to economic growth.

General Manager of the Jasper Municipal Utilities, Bud Hauersperger, stated the 70-year-old water line under Highway 231 from Bartley Street to 30th Street is undersized and prone to breaks. It makes sense to upgrade the line before the road surface is repaired.

The Utility Service Board recently approved the matching funds for the project which are expected to come from an internal loan from the Electric Utility.

The water line project will take place in 2018 and is anticipated to be followed in 2019 by a paving of U. S. 231 by the Indiana Department of Transportation.