Public Works is taking a proactive approach in rehabilitating sanitary sewer in the downtown area to avoid failures.  Due to the specialized nature of the project's two (2) main goals, the project was broken into two (2) parts to allow the work to be performed by contractors with specific expertise in each operation.  Last year, the structural integrity of downtown area sanitary sewer lines were bolstered using Cured in Place Pipe (CIPP) lining, which lines the inside of existing pipes thereby providing reinforcement and increase longevity.  This year's portion of the project will primarily focus on rehabilitating existing brick manholes in the downtown area.  The infrastructure undergoing rehabilitation is typically located within alleyways which run parallel to 2nd and 3rd Street.  The project area is bounded by Clark Street to the west, South Front Street to the north, Plum Street to the east, and First Street to the south.  Additional failing infrastructure in the area may be assessed to determine the need for future rehabilitation projects. 

There are approximately 230 miles of gravity sewer within the City of Grand Island’s collection system.  The majority of this infrastructure is between 26 and 75 years old, and between 8 and 18 inches in diameter.  The majority of the sanitary sewer rehabilitations are for old clay tile pipe and or damaged / dilapidated manholes.

On November 10, 2020, via Resolution No. 2020-280, City Council awarded Redina Construction Company of Glen Ellyn, Illinois the bid for Downtown Sanitary Sewer Manhole Rehabilitation; Project No. 2020-S-7 in the amount of $259,833.00.

On September 28, 2021, via Resolution No. 2021-246, Grand Island City Council approved the Certificate of Final Completion for Downtown Sanitary Sewer Manhole Rehabilitation; Project No. 2020-S-7 in the total amount of $292,765.38, which includes engineering services and bid solicitation advertising.