Based on an Associated Press article published in these newspapers on Feb. 7, aging water and sewer lines are serious problems across the country. The article reported an incident in Cleveland where a cast-iron pipe installed in 1895 collapsed and crushed an antique sewer line. Twenty-five million gallons of water rushed into the downtown business district and closed streets for a week. Downtown Athens merchants and shoppers are familiar with street closings. In the long run, though, it will be well worth it, particularly because it will help avoid emergency situations like what occurred in Cleveland.
Workers can proceed on getting the job done right instead of having to react to a crisis.
Besides the water and sewer pipe work, the downtown project will also dress up the streetscape while installing cable lines, new phone lines and gas lines under the sidewalks. Also, according to Project Manager Kevin Hamby, the future phases of water and stormwater line work will employ Athens-Clarke County personnel, meaning a more expeditious schedule. Hamby said when outside contractors encountered underground problems, they had to stop work to deal with cost issues and bureaucratic red tape before resolving how to proceed. With county workers, those extra steps will be eliminated. In addition, the project work will be done during hours between peak periods of traffic.