After a 9-year delay, construction is finally expected to begin in September to bring sanitary city sewer to another Las Cruces neighborhood. Las Cruces Utilities (LCU) Regulatory Environmental Services/Technical Support Administrator, Carl N. Clark, P.E., explains: “The Doña Ana Sewer Extension project needs to happen now because of the risk of contaminating nearby water wells due to failing septic systems in some neighborhoods. This is a top priority project.”
The project can only move forward with grant funding from the State of New Mexico. And, after several state funding freezes, the money is only available now, thanks to the help of Las Cruces City Manager, Stuart C. Ed, who says, “This project was frozen by the state in error we believe. It was not stalled; it was fully designed and was being let out to bid when it was frozen. We aggressively ensured state leadership understood the project was progressing quickly. We provided timelines, design specifications, and bid documentation. Fortunately, our efforts were favorably received and the funds released.”
The estimated cost of the project is $549,314.28.
Older neighborhoods around Las Cruces were built with individual septic systems to manage wastewater from each home; decades later many of those systems are failing and risk contaminating nearby water wells. When the new grant-funded sewer lines are in place under neighborhood streets, residents can pay to connect to those systems. They must also have their septic systems decommissioned. LCU has a provision for new customers to pay wastewater impact fees in payments over 60 months, instead of having to pay in full all at once; this equates to approximately $25.00 a month, making it more affordable to tie into the municipal sewer system.
A July 12th public meeting provided information about construction plans and budget, as well as the traffic management while the streets are under construction. The project should be completed by January 2018. The current construction plans allow for the contractor to work Saturdays to help move the project along faster, and reopen roadways to the public as soon as possible.
Phase one of the project will begin on Doña Ana Road. The main affected roadways include Doña Ana Road, Dalrymple Road, Three Crosses Avenue, and Alameda Blvd. Richard Drive and Karen Avenue will be open during the first phase. However, only residents of this area will have access to these roads. Motorists passing through the construction zone will have to seek alternate routes.
Bidding for the project begins immediately and once construction begins, families with children will be notified about changes in bus routes. Residents are also urged to look for weekly news updates on road closures.
Content provided by LCU.
You can reach Las Cruces Utilities at 528-3500 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Las Cruces Utilities provides GAS – WATER – WASTEWATER – SOLID WASTE services to approximately 100,000 Las Cruces residents and businesses.