KYLE MURPHYStaff Writer

The Tullahoma Utilities Authority approved a contract for its Ovoca Road pump station replacement and force main addition project for $2,109,842.76.

In its October meeting, TUA President Brian Skelton presented the project to the board, which he said the project has been talked about for a long time and the Tennessee State Revolving Fund Loan (SRF) Program finally approved TUA to bid the project out. According to the memo sent to the board, bids were opened for SRF on Oct. 17 to fund the Ovoca Road Pump Station Replacement and Force Main Addition project. The project involves replacing an old wastewater pumping station on Ovoca Road at Kings Lane, as well as installing a force main that will extend from the intersection of Ovoca Road and Riley Creek Road all the way to a large interceptor sewer located behind Tullahoma High School on Rock Creek. Skelton said the project is due to both current and future growth of residential housing in the northeast quadrant of Tullahoma.

He said TUA received four bids for the project, with Prince Utility, LLC, of Tullahoma being the low bidder of the four.

“As per the recommendation of our consultant, staff recommends acceptance of the low bid of 2,109,842.76 from Prince Utility LLC, contingent upon approval from TDEC (Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development) and SRF,” Skelton said in the memo.

He added that TUA has been approved for up to $1.6 million in SRF funds for the project, and said when TUA applied for the loan $1.6 million was a good estimate for the project.

“Unfortunately, there have been significant cost increases in the interim three years,” he said. “Staff plans to go back to the state to ask for approval for the additional funds needed to complete this project. The SRF loan is a 20-year loan at 3.35%.”

The timeline for the project from start to finish is 10 to 12 months.

After further discussion, the board unanimously approved a contract with Prince Utility, LLC, at a cost of $2,109,842.76 for the Ovoca Road Pump Station Replacement and Force Main Addition project.