Virginia Street waterline work ongoing

Repair and construction of the waterline on Virginia Street is underway with street closures anticipated for this week.

The Graham City Council granted emergency contracting authority for the project in August to City Manager Eric Garretty. Fambro Construction of Stephenville was chosen as the contractor to emplace 900 feet of new waterline along Virginia Street between Brazos Street and South Street.

Director of Public Works Randall Dawson gave an update to the city council on the project Thursday, Nov. 21. 

“They lack probably 150 feet from being to the end to tie in. They are scheduled to tie in Monday (Nov. 25) when school is out,” Dawson said. “The 900 block of Virginia Street will be closed several times throughout next week. As soon as they make the tie-in, they will start doing… services across the road.”

The city council allocated $300,000 of the available $500,000 in the uncommitted reserves in the Water Capital Fund for the project during their meeting Thursday, Aug. 1. The city manager said Dawson identified the immediate need to replace the line.

“The line is actively failing, and the water distribution department continues to make multiple repairs to the water main segment,” Garretty said in August. 

The critical failure in the water main has resulted in the city being unable to maintain static water pressure. Temporary measures are in place to provide potable water service to residents serviced by the waterline, but the city manager said a permanent solution is necessary.

Dawson said in August with the extent of the project, this is something the city will typically contract out. 

“It’s currently a four-inch, cast-iron line that was placed in the mid-(1940s). Just the mineral build up in the line is restricting flow of water, and we’re having issues in the middle of the block,” Dawson said.