City Manager explains process of huge pipe replacement project
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) checks every aspect, every step, of the water line replacement project. We were awarded a $27.4 million loan in July 2020. The state then placed those funds in escrow, and has kept a tight hold on the monies. The state only reimburses expenses after they have approved the expenditure and every step leading up to the expenditure.
If you’ve heard the monies have been spent on other projects or on the new subdivision, you can confidently reply that you know they have not. They are being protected and used only for water line repair work as intended.
For example, before the engineers could start their design work, TWDB had to review and approve the contract and bid process the city used. Then, each phase of the project was overseen by TWDB, even down to when the engineers could send surveyors into the field to gather needed data. Our engineering firm racked up over $1 million in expenses before TWDB authorized any reimbursements. This delay could have bankrupted a smaller engineering company. Our state representative, Charles Schwertner, intervened a year ago when the city had a series of main breaks over the Father’s Day weekend. Please thank him on the city’s behalf, because without his help, we’d still be fighting to get this project going.
Right now, the city has awarded the bid for the water line replacement work to the lowest responsible bidder. TWDB is examining the process the city and engineer used to come to that decision, ensuring that the bid process met state law. Once they approve what we did, we can finally issue a notice to proceed to the contractor and Phase I work will begin.
Phase I replaces cast iron pipe in the FM 908, FM 487 and US 79, all state rights-ofway. Phase II, which is also subject to the same rigorous review, will begin shortly after, and it covers the rest of the city.
As much as possible, the water lines will be moved out from underneath the pavement and put into the grassy area outside the pavement. This is still right-of-way, but it may appear to be part of private yards since it’s an area that the homeowner mows. We want to do this because water lines cost about $185 a running foot, while pavement is around $285 a running foot. It does not make sense to tear up the more expensive infrastructure to access less expensive infrastructure.
Thank you for your patience as this long overdue project goes under construction.
—Barbara Holly, Rockdale City Manager
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