About This Project
The design for improvements in the Carriage Hills area is nearing completion with a tentative advertisement for bids planned in Spring 2025 and construction in 2025 and 2026. Phase 1 of this important project includes replacing older water pipes along Carriage Drive and Whispering Pines and installing new fire hydrants. The older lines are not buried deep enough to protect them from freezing and they are subject to leaking and breaking. The project will also connect the water system in Carriage Hills to other sections of the Town's water system at Pawnee and Grey Fox. These connections will improve the overall operation of the system. Improvements to the former Spruce Knob Water System (Joel Estes Drive) have been combined with the Carriage Hills project and were submitted for grant and loan consideration by the State.
The Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) has awarded the Town a $1M grant for the Carriage Hills and Spruce Knob improvements project. The Town has also been awarded $1.5M in principle loan forgiveness through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation (BIL) as administered by the State. The remaining cost of the Carriage Hills portion of the project will be funded through a low-interest rate (3.25%) loan package as part of the State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan program. The funding approach is being finalized for Town Board consideration.
The engineers for both portions of the project have finalized the opinion of probable construction cost, resulting in a total estimated cost that exceeds our current budget. The base bid is the minimum project we will construct (shown in green on the updated map). If the costs for the base bid are lower than expected, the Town can supplement with additional areas (shown in orange on the updated map).
On May 7, 2024 a public meeting was held at Town Hall for the Carriage Hills and Spruce Knob Water System Improvements project. A pdf of the meeting presentation is available. An invitation for another Carriage Hills focused project meeting on October, 15 2024 will be forwarded to the HOA president. A third meeting is anticipated prior to the start of construction (Spring 2025).
The project was advertised for bid on March 21, 2025 and bid opening is scheduled for early April. Construction along Joel Estes Drive has been added to the project and we anticipate construction on Joel Estes Drive will start soon after the contract is awarded. We anticipate awarding the contract in May.
For more information about this project please contact Jacqui Wesley, Utilities Project Manager, at jwesley@estes.org and watch for updates on this project's page.
Project Information and Updates
October 15, 2024 public meeting presentation.
