Project on quick timeline

By Holli Keaton (Contact) | Troy Messenger

Published Saturday, November 7, 2009

The Troy City Council has already taken steps to bring about major infrastructure repairs throughout the city.

But, even with construction, residents won’t see much change.

“No street traffic will be impacted,” said Troy Mayor Jimmy Lunsford.

The project, which will renovate or replace the sewer systems within the city of Troy, will be funded by stimulus money.

“We’re fixing the sewer where they’re very old and sewers were put into residential areas when they were designed to be residential areas,” Lunsford said.

An example, he said, is Elm Street.

The sewers will be renovated throughout the city, spanning Elm Street, George Wallace Drive, Park Street, near Second Avenue and several other areas.

The Troy City Council already approved a revolving loan, amounted at $2.6 million, which will be repaid partially with stimulus funds.

Of the loan, $950,000 approximately will be reimbursed with federal dollars.

Lunsford said the project is on a quick timeline, with the council set to award construction bids in the beginning of January.

While the loan process has been approved, that’s just one of the steps the city needs for the project’s completion.

Some 81 property owners throughout the city of Troy will have to consent to let the city cross their property lines for the construction.

“In order to get that money, we have to get all the easements signed,” Lunsford said. “We’re hoping people will work with us to get this.”

Lunsford said he’s not sure how many have agreed at this time, but he does know that all property owners haven’t been notified of the request just yet.

That’s because Lunsford said the city is trying to have pictures of what is needed to give owners a better idea.

All the work that is done will only temporarily affect property, since the city promises to return all back to normal.

“I anticipate people working with us because we’ll put property back equal to or better than we found it,” Lunsford said.

Lunsford said the project will in the long run benefit all residents.

“Having a good, up to date sewer raises the value of property,” Lunsford said. “It will also free areas where we didn’t allow people to build apartments because of the sewer system. It will free up for those or any other construction.”

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