Sisters sewer project out for bid this month

Last updated 7/4/2000 at Noon

Contractors are set to bid on the first part of Sisters' wastewater disposal system project.

According to Mayor Steve Wilson, the first phase of the project is being bid in four segments.

"If we bid (this way instead of) as one big package it will be more competitive and more competitive means we'll get more for our dollar," Wilson said.

Breaking the project into smaller chunks also allows smaller, local contractors to get in on the project.

"Some of the local folks are very passionate about getting involved in the project," Wilson said.

The first bidding phase covers pond and treatment facility construction and laying sewer in the downtown core and the older residential area of sisters.

A second bidding phase will cover new subdivisions and the Sisters Industrial Park.

However, Wilson said, there will be little visible lag between construction of the phases.

"Basically, construction will be going on simultaneously for all phases of the project," he said.

The Sisters City Council will open the bids on July 12. Once bids are awarded, the federal Rural Utilities Services will review them for compliance with specifications.

That is usually a long process, Wilson said, but the feds have committed to getting the ball rolling quickly so that construction can start on schedule.

"They've told us they will throw the manpower at it to have a three to five day turnaround instead of three to six months," Wilson said.

If all goes well, construction on the sewer system should begin in late July. Wilson said the main urgency is to complete the holding ponds so they can be lined before cold weather sets in and makes the plastic liner materials unmanageable.

The city has pushed the halt date for pond construction back to Thanksgiving, but that remains dependent on weather conditions.

According to Wilson, the rest of the work can push on relatively unaffected by weather.

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Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.