Sewer project faces weather challenge

The three work crews putting in the pipes for the new Sisters sewer system are struggling against the ticking clock as freezing weather approaches.

According to project foreman Ron Welsh of Jack Robinson & Sons excavation, the cold weather of the past 10 days has made it difficult.

"But we're on schedule, thanks to hard work, to complete our entire part of the project -- the dream's to finish by Thanksgiving," he said.

Welsh said that freezing weather could affect the final stages of the project by making it impossible to pour asphalt.

"We have to pour in two steps. After the pipe is laid and covered up, we then go over the completed, worked section with an asphalt patch," he said. "Afterwards, when we've finished doing the entire street, we go back over it with the final asphalting."

The crews currently are working in the area between Washington Street and Cascade Avenue, bordered by Pine and Elm streets. Welsh said the men should be finished up at Pine Street within 10 days.

"About November 10," he said, "we expect to begin working between Larch and Fir Streets, bordered by Hood and Washington."

He said he expects to complete those streets in two weeks.

"Of course that all depends on the weather," he cautioned and motioned towards the snow covered Sisters. "If it doesn't heat up to about 45 degrees on the days we need to pour, we'll be delayed. If it turns real cold, we'll be delayed till spring."