City Commissioners took a significant step during their Dec. 3 meeting by giving the green light to two crucial contracts for the Lift Station No. 1 project. This undertaking holds great importance for the city's infrastructure and wastewater management system. The approval of these contracts marks a crucial milestone in the development and improvement of this vital facility.

"City's Lift Station Project: A Milestone in Infrastructure"

General Contractor Construction Manager Contract

The first contract awarded is to Prospect Construction with a guaranteed maximum price of $7,456,692 for the lift station and supplemental force main improvements project. This contract ensures that the construction work will be carried out efficiently and within the specified budget. TD&H Engineering was also approved for a professional services agreement worth $687,600 to provide engineering construction phase services. The combination of these two contracts totals $8,144,292, demonstrating the significant investment in this project.During the 2021 feasibility study, the project was identified and American Rescue Plan Act funds were secured. Design began in 2022, and by October 2022, 30 percent designs were completed with an initial cost estimate of $7.8 million. In April 2023, the general contractor construction management process was chosen under Montana law for complex projects with specific criteria met in this case. This process includes preconstruction and construction phases.

Project Scope Adjustments Due to Cost Increases

Due to the significant cost increase from the initial estimates, city staff had to adjust the project scope. In the first phase, the focus is now on Lift Station No. 1 improvements, while forcemain repairs are shifted to a future second phase. This adjustment is necessary to manage the budget and ensure the project's feasibility.Lift Station No. 1 was constructed in 1976 and is the city's second largest pumping station, handling about 40 to 45 percent of all raw wastewater. The current stormwater pumps and associated ball valves are deteriorating, and parts for repairs are no longer available. The bar screen installed in 1986 has difficulty screening rags/debris during high flows due to its large screen openings. The exhaust fan is at the end of its life, and wet well repairs and the replacement of six sluice gates are required as some gates no longer operate due to corrosion."The renovation of Lift Station No. 1 provides future reliability of pumping raw wastewater to the [wastewater treatment plant], minimizing the risk of service interruption, wastewater bypassing to the Missouri River, regulatory exposure, and environmental damage associated with aging equipment," stated public works staff.

Project Funding and Timelines

The Lift Station No. 1 project is funded with $3,854,585 of state ARPA minimum allocation grant funds, $2,000,000 of state ARPA competitive grant funds, and the remaining $5,521,597 from the city sewer treatment fund. However, if these ARPA funds are not spent by Dec. 31, 2025, the city risks losing them and having to find alternative funding sources.Construction completion is estimated for the fall of 2026. In November, commissioners approved two contracts for the pre-procurement of long lead time equipment needed for the project. These steps are crucial in ensuring the smooth progress of the Lift Station No. 1 project and its timely completion.The project is the first phase, with a second phase anticipated in the future to construct a redundant river crossing. "Completing these projects will reduce the severity of an S.O.S. due to extreme rain events and/or the older 1979 forcemain breaking," according to public works.