Water utility OKs contracts for new mains

The Central Arkansas Water board of commissioners Thursday approved contracts for water main replacements in two areas of Little Rock.

The utility plans to replace about 2,700 feet of 16-inch water mains along Rebsamen Park Road. The steel pipe was originally installed in the 1940s by the U.S. Army to provide water to Camp Robinson in North Little Rock during World War II. The remaining portion of the pipeline south of the Arkansas River is still used daily to provide water to the Hillcrest and Heights areas of Little Rock.

The project will replace the entire original pipeline from Riverdale Road to Sherrill Road.

The contract with Diamond Construction Co. is not to exceed $684,000.

Central Arkansas Water also plans to replace 2,200 feet of 8-inch water mains within the Heights neighborhood. The work will extend along Kavanaugh Boulevard from North Taylor Street to North Pierce Street and continue along North Pierce Street from Kavanaugh Boulevard to V Street.

The contract for that work with On-Line Construction is not to exceed $626,910.

Both water mains were said to be problematic and high maintenance.

The work is expected to begin in mid-April or May, officials said. Customers will not lose water service during the construction work, the utility said.