Upgrades started on Rockmart sewage plant

Modification has begun at the Rockmart Water Pollution Control Plant so that it will meet new permit limits for phosphorus reduction.

Sol Construction, LLC of Atlanta, submitted the low bid of $2,794,603 and won the contract, which was approved by city council members.

Jeff Ellis, city manager, said this is the first upgrade at the facility in more than a decade.

The Rockmart Water Pollution Control Plant, located off Nathan Dean Parkway, was completed in 1996.

The current improvements will not impact daily operations, according to Ellis.

“There will be no down time,” he said. “The contractor will coordinate the work during the 10month project, which should be completed by July 2016.”

As part of the project, Metals Materials Engineers of Atlanta was awarded the $99,825 contract for sewerage system improvements.

A video of sanitary sewer lines will pinpoint problem areas in the local system.

Ellis said expenditures would be addressed in the budget once a cost estimate is given by

Metals Materials Engineers. “We will do as much as feasible with funds available,” he said.

He said a total of $85,000 would also be needed if the Ridgewood Booster Station were replaced. Work is expected to begin during the next few months.

Mayor Steve Miller said another project includes replacing sidewalks from College Street and Piedmont Avenue to North Marble.

“This year, we decided to use our Local Maintenance & Improvement Grant (LMIG) funds for sidewalk work,” he said. “In 2016, state funds will be utilized for paving of streets.”

Meanwhile, work is almost complete on the new sports complex. The three-phase project cost an estimated $860,000 in Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds.

Plans for the new sports complex were officially launched in 2011 after documents were signed for the $150,000 property purchase from Professional Realty Group, Cartersville.

“Everyone anticipates the opening of this new recreational area in 2016,” Miller said. “It is another way to enhance the quality of life for our citizens.”