Salem Public Works Director Annette Sola says a temporary work around has been found at the Salem Water Treatment Plant to remove sediment to the lagoon until a non-functioning valve can be replaced.
Sola says as a result the immediate emergency has been averted. She hopes to keep JK Trotter and Sons on the South Broadway waterline replacement project until they reach Main Street and then have them move to the emergency valve replacement project.
The council Monday night gave formal approval to JK Trotter replacing all three original valves that are 20 to 25 feet deep at a cost of up to $35,000. The water plant will have to be shutdown during the project.
Meanwhile, Sola says the South Broadway water line project is now moving into the downtown area with a boring under the large concrete drive in front of the Salem Fire Protection District scheduled to begin on Tuesday. She reports the sidewalk will be torn out in the 100 block of South Broadway in front of the Salem Theatre and City Hall.
“Gonna try to take out all of these mixed matched panels, put new water line in, get all services ran back under the road to businesses across the street and then I’ll be ready to get sidewalk panels poured. So for a short time we are going to have a rock sidewalk out front.”
Sola says the location of the mail box in front of city hall will also be temporarily moved.
Sola also announced the gas line replacement project is getting underway on Circle Drive, Edgewood Road, Oak Tree and Pine Tree. USDI of Olney is completing that project at a cost of $244,420. After the main lines are replaced new taps will be provided for all homes along the lines.
