Board receives bids for first phase of sewer project

La PORTE — A project to separate sewer lines in one La Porte neighborhood is in the process of moving forward.

During a board of public works meeting Wednesday, members received bids for the first phase of a storm and wastewater line separation for Monroe Manor.

The first part of the project involves the extension of a storm sewer to the neighborhood with no actual connections there, said Waste Water Department Director Jerry Jackson. In the following phases, the city will separate the storm and waste sewer lines in the neighborhood so residents will no longer have both pumped down the same one.

Bids received ranged from $972,591 and $545,378. The engineer’s estimate was $719,495 for the work.

They were sent to the city’s legal counsel and engineer for approval and recommendation.

In unrelated matters at the Board of Public Works meeting, Jim Bevins, a representative for the Lincoln Highway Association, notified city officials about a proposed kiosk the organization was looking to install in front of the train depot in La Porte if the organization raises enough funds. It was still about $1,000 short. In a previous interview, Bevins said the kiosk was designed to match the existing walkway between the Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce and the Greater La Porte Economic Development Corporation buildings.

It will feature a 5-by-3-foot panel with one side devoted to information on the national and state route of Lincoln Highway, and the other pertaining to the La Porte County and city route. Bevins said he’s gathering photos from the La Porte, Wanatah, Hanna and Westville historical societies documenting the first years of the road to display there.

Donations can be sent to the Indiana Lincoln Highway Association, 402 W. Washington St., South Bend, IN 46601, Attn: La Porte Kiosk Contribution.

Source: La Porte Herald Argus