Tom Busselberg 27.JUL.06
Second of two parts
FARMINGTON — More funds are needed to replace or at least line a major pipe at a large manufactured home park and to complete myriad related projects between North Canyon and 2600 South, and beyond.
County Public Works Director Tom Smith outlined in detail some of the more than 100 projects needing attention. Although this article will deal with South Davis projects, needs extend to the county’s northernmost corner. About $40 million in projects have been identified, many of them interconnected with several parts all needed to provide efficient water flows from east to west.
County officials are considering a tax increase to start funding what Smith and others call “pressing needs” to repair, replace and upgrade existing facilities. Many were installed following the 1983 floods, while others have just worn out or become inadequate, due to population growth dumping more water into the system.
Projects include the “Hooper Draw” Channel, which starts east of Davis Blvd., in Bountiful, which would see more than $1.5 million in projected work.
Moving from east to west, the project would entail building a drop structure and repairing erosion east of Davis Blvd., for $105,000, then pipe would be “upsized” on Road’s Hill from Davis Blvd. to Camelot Manufactured Home Park, estimated to cost $75,000.
Inside the park, a 54-inch corrugated metal pipe would be replaced or lined with what Smith hopes could be Ultraflow Aluminum. It would involve cleaning out all the debris inside the pipe, including dealing with illegally placed pipes, he said.
It’s a glorified pushing and pulling of pipe, including starting with the 54-inch pipe and ending with a 45-inch pipe.
“We expect it to take two-three months to complete,” Smith said.
Because of the confined spaces typical of an established manufactured home park, crews will have to work within limited space to complete the project, he continued.
Work on that overall project would extend farther into North Salt Lake and the industrial park. Officials from many businesses have said they will cooperate and help fund needed expansion of water control structures, Smith said.
Much of the need there is due, again, to expansion of facilities, parking lots, etc., meaning changes are required to easements, for example, he said.
As noted in a previous article, extensive work is also needed on 2600 South — which again means starting at the source of the water, or from North Canyon to Davis Blvd. and west.
Some detention basins are needed, while at 5th West and I-15, 2,300 feet (nearly half a mile) of 36-inch pipe needs to replace “outgrown” facilities at a cost of $260,000.
From I-15 west to the “North Salt Lake Basin,” 48-inch pipe installation is needed, at a projected cost of $110,000.
Construction of Legacy Highway and light rail also creates new needs, Smith said. It has meant lots of negotiations with involved entities, including the Utah Department of Transportation and Union Pacific Railroad.
In some cases, for example, the railroad has agreed to waive fees that normally would be charged for modifications, Smith said.
In related efforts, on Mill Creek, from 1100 West to the Legacy Highway site, he said, “We need to create a new alignment and are trying to get easements. Then we can dig a channel.”
That project is estimated at $450,000.
But with all of this in the offing, Smith added, “We are keeping what funds are left in reserve in the budget (now, prior to any potential tax hike) in case there is late fall flooding and to keep sediments clean.”
tbusselberg@davisclipper.com
Above Photo: EROSION EVERYWHERE — Creeks that are wearing away once solid land, above, and around culverts are only part of a multitude of problems.
