Carson City officials are expected to begin $5 million in modifications to the city's water and sewer lines to prepare for work on the next portion of the freeway later this month.
The Board of Supervisors is expected to approve a contract with Marv McQueary Excavating Inc. to upgrade and realign water and sewer lines along Fifth Street on Nevada State Prison property.
"It's the backbone of our water and sewer system," said Andrew Burnham, the city's public works director.
McQueary offered the lowest bid, $5.107 million. It was slightly below the city's projected cost of $5.125 million. The highest bid exceeded $6.9 million.
The work is expected to slow traffic in that area during weekday mornings and evenings, Burnham said.
Drivers can also expect a few weekend closures of Fifth Street while the work is going on so the contractor can conduct occasional "marathon" work sessions.
"We'll notify residents ahead of time" if closing that section of Fifth Street is necessary.
The project includes creating and relocating 6,740 feet of sewer line, 3,230 feet of water line that runs through a 16-inch diameter pipe and 730 feet of reclaimed water line.
The Nevada Department of Transportation requires the pipes be encased in steel to ensure there are no leaks that could compromise the freeway's structural integrity.
Encasing the pipes is "kind of like wearing a belt and a suspenders to hold up your pants," he said.
It will be the second of three sites where city infrastructure is changed to accommodate the freeway. Almost complete are modifications near Colorado Street, Saliman Road and Fairview Drive. Water line work along Highway 50 on both sides of the freeway will follow.
Total cost is estimated to be $8.9 million. Roughly half of that will be reimbursed by the state, Burnham said.
The section of the Carson City Freeway related to this work is 2A, which would run from Highway 50 to Fairview Drive. Bids will open for this portion of the project on July 19, according to NDOT.
Already completed is a section of freeway from Highway 395 at Lakeview Hill to Highway 50 East. The last section will connect to the base of Spooner Summit.
The entire freeway project is expected to be complete by the end of 2010 or beginning of 2011. Carson will have kicked in roughly $50 million.
About 8,500 cars a day roll along Fifth Street and Saliman Road, the site nearest to this second portion of the project, according to traffic numbers kept by the city.
The city and NDOT also paid for alternate prison parking near Fairview Drive. This is because the project requires the Fifth Street lot be dug up. It comes with a price tag of about $100,000.
A similar accommodation was provided for employees at Snap-On tools, Burnham said.
• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.
If you go
WHAT: Carson City Board of Supervisors meeting
When: 8:30 a.m. today
WHERE: Sierra Room, Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St.