Bessemer completes 3-year construction project

By P.J. GLISSON

news@yourdailyglobe.com

Bessemer — The end is near for a 3-year project involving tens of millions of dollars worth of utility and road work throughout the city of Bessemer.

“It’s been a long project,” said Darren Pionk, project manager with C2AE, the city’s planning and engineering firm that coordinated the progress.

Pionk told The Globe on Tuesday that he’s “pretty satisfied” with the results.

He conceded that the construction, which occurred consistently during months without snow, amounted to a logistical “nuisance” for the community, but resulted in “a renewal” of the water and sanitary system “and, of course, the roads.”

As for the remaining wrap-up, Pionk said “nothing major” remains.

“We have a final list of items that we will be addressing with the contractor in the near future,” he said, referring to such issues as “a few spot repairs” and other refinements in road restoration, seeding and top soiling.

His office also has final recordings to address.

Upon completion, which he expects in June, Pionk said a final walk-through will occur.

Over the past three years the work included replacement of more than 8 miles of water main, 6 miles of sanitary sewer, 1.25 miles of storm sewer and 115 lead impacted service replacements, said C2AE officials.

“In addition to the infrastructure improvements, roads, sidewalk and curb and gutter upgrades were included with the project,” said a related summary by the city.

“We’re proud of everything Bessemer has been able to accomplish because of our creative team of engineers at C2AE, the patience of our residents, and a significant amount of state and federal funding,” said city councilwoman Linda Nelson.

“All told, this project required three separate general contractors, eleven subcontractors, and five funding sources across five connected sub-projects,” said the city report. “C2AE coordinated funding and construction between all parties. The state’s lead and copper rule presented one hurdle because it required the city to replace any lead services uncovered during the reconstruction of U.S. 2 or local improvements to sanitary, storm water, and drinking water systems.”

In a separate report, C2AE said the project resulted in an overhaul of 40% of the city’s infrastructure, including its sanitary, storm water and drinking water systems.

The cost was funded largely by a $15.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Program. Additional state funds were allotted via the Drinking Water Asset Management Program and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.

In addition, the Michigan Department of Transportation also committed $10.1 million to rebuild 2.75 miles of U.S. 2 that run through the city.

“The multi-faceted project required both financial and emotional investments from the community,” said the C2AE report.

In commemoration of the project, the Michigan Chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies issued an engineering merit award to C2AE on March 9 in Detroit.

Accepting the award were Pionk, as well as C2AE Project Engineer/Designer Kelly Heidbrier, Mayor Peter Tacconelli, Linda Nelson and Neal Nelson, former DPW director, who led the city’s Department of Public Works during the majority of the project.

In a statement the ACEC said the group recognizes projects based on their social and economic impact, resulting in “improved local quality of life.”

In Bessemer, the work, which included replacing much of the city’s lead services, will keep utility rates low and will greatly improve fire flow and water pressure in much of the city, said the statement, adding the award also “honors the community’s leadership and financial commitment through an extensive period of construction.”