🎥 Oak Street waterline to be replaced between 20th and 26th Streets

Portions of Oak Street pavement will be replaced.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Work to replace the Oak Street waterline between 20th and 26th Streets is underway.

The low bidder for the $444,777 project was J Corp of Hays. The work includes additional pavement repair to replace other areas of failed concrete on Oak Street, according to Utilities Director Johnny O’Connor.

A new 8-inch heavy-duty PVC waterline will be installed to replace the 4-inch line. The smaller old line has a history of leaks and does not provide adequate fire protection.

Working on a fire hydrant at 21st and Oak Wednesday afternoon.

“We’ll replace 22 existing services with all new taps, meters, setters and service lines,” O’Connor said. “Three existing fire hydrants will be replaced and three hydrants will be added for a total of six new fire hydrants.” Water volume and pressure will be improved in the area.

Homes along the project path will be out of water briefly. “Regular water service will remain in effect while we put in the new line and they’ll have the taps ready to go. Then we’ll do the tie-is, so it’ll be just a brief amount of time they’ll be without water,” O’Connor explained.

The intersection of 21st and Oak is closed for two weeks.

The project is funded from Water and Sewer Capital Reserve and Special Highway Fund and was approved by the Hays city commission Aug. 25.

This is the third and final phase of a four-year waterline upgrade Capital Improvement Project.

Phase 1–Fort and 26th Street was completed in 2014. Phase 2–Ash, Elm and Hickory was finished in 2015. Phase 3–Oak between 20th and 26th Streets is scheduled to be completed by April 1, 2017.