ELLSWORTH – The Village of Ellsworth held a public hearing Monday, March 10 for residents interested in learning more about the improvements coming to North Grant, South Piety, Strickland and Woodworth streets this summer.

Tyler Hastings, the project manager from engineering firm CBS Squared, was on hand to answer questions along with a representative from Albrightson Excavating, who will be completing the project.

The utilities in this area are outdated and several deficiencies were found. The oldest water main in the area dates to 1915, with other sections dating to the 1930s. All water mains are undersized, and the streets and storm sewers are deteriorating. According to information from a previous village board meeting, some of the sewer lines are clay pipes with numerous cracks and sags.

Engineer Jon Strand said sanitary sewer has been videoed in both project areas and videos show numerous cracks in the pipes, misaligned joints, sags that collect debris and even missing portions.

“The other issue with clay pipe that is maybe even more important … there is a lot of places where groundwater is being collected in your sanitary sewer system,” Strand said at a previous meeting.

The upgrades will improve the delivery of utility services to the properties in the area and strengthen and improve the utility systems for the whole community. The project also includes street replacement, service replacement, site restoration, storm sewer replacement, and other items necessary to complete the project.

“My goal is to make it less of an inconvenience a possible,” Hastings said. “It’s not going to be a fun summer for those living on these streets.”

Hastings said the Department of Natural Resources requires water mains to be 8 inches, but most in the area are 4 inches. The sanitary sewer system will be deepened and provide better flow, he added.

“All services will be replaced to the right-of-way. Anything further will be up to the homeowner,” Hastings said.

Homeowners can replace the lines from the right-of-way to their homes, but that portion would come out of their own pockets. They are not required to do so, but it might be recommended, depending on the material used. Hastings said they may see a lot of cast iron or Orangeburg (a type of sewer pipe made from compressed wood pulp and coal tar pitch) pipes.

A stipulation of the DNR’s Safe Drinking Water Loan Program, which is funding $2,096,783 of the project, is that the contractors use American-made steel and iron. The board authorized the sale of up to $2,096,783 in water system revenue bonds for the project in November.

The project will also see sidewalks constructed to ADA compliance, the relocation of power poles, water and sanitary service line replacement from the street to the right-of-way, road grading, driveway apron reconstruction, asphalt and turf restoration.

The project area includes Grant Street from Highway 10 to Cairns Street, plus a small portion of Grove Street; and Piety Street from Highway 10 to Viola Street, including portions of Strickland, Grant and Woodworth streets.

Construction is set to begin April 7 on Grant Street, followed by Piety in early June, with a completion date of October.

Homes and businesses will be allowed access at all times, except when a pipe is being installed immediately in front of a driveway. Hastings said they will try to communicate with residents on times and will hang door signs when utilities will be interrupted. WE Energies performed line locations on Grant and will do Piety next week. Residents are asked to leave flags in their lawns, which are marking utilities. The project manager is also working with the post office and GFL trash company to make sure residents’ mail and services aren’t disrupted.

Hastings said about 40 trees along the project route have been removed already, many of which were giant silver maples rotting inside.

“The boulevard trees are the ones the most affected,” Hastings said. “The silver maples looked nice, but many were hollow inside.”

Resident concerns that came up included the heavy truck traffic on Grant, the steep hill at the corner of Hines and Piety streets possibly needing a retaining wall, and the roadwork affecting the Ellsworth Fire Department parade and Pierce County Fair in August.

Hastings said a new stop sign at Summit and Grant should help with vehicles speeding through the area, while Trustee Lance Austin said the village may put up “no heavy truck traffic” signs. As for the Hines/Piety yard, Hastings said they will take a look at it. He also felt construction will not affect the fair and parade too much, as construction should be taking place south of Highway 10 by August.

For project questions, contact Hastings at thastings@cbssquaredinc.com or 715-505-8633.