Work on installing a 12-inch waterline from Clearbrook in Roanoke County, where an existing line stops, to Wirtz Plateau Plaza area in Franklin County in the U.S. 220 corridor will begin at the end of June. According to Sarah Baumgardner with the Western Virginia Water Authority, Franklin County approached the water authority because it needed reliable water for residents in both quality and quantity.

Discussion on the project began about two years ago, Baumgardner said.

"It was decided to work together on this waterline project beacuse it would meet the needs of all three entities," Baumgardner said, "Roanoke County, Franklin County, and the water authority."

Baumgardner also said that the water authority did all the engineering design and will do the bidding to an outside contract, and maintenance.

"For us, the benefit is that it’s an opportunity for us to offer a regional service to help out our neighbors."

Roanoke County and Franklin County were looking at ways that they could serve their customers better, with reliable public drinking water and fire protection. Baumgardner said both counties had looked at the corridor as an economic development opportunity and to offer water service for developments going in along the corridor.

Baumgardner said that Roanoke County has done its corrdor study and that Franklin County is still working on its study, trying to find the best way to have good growth along the corridor.

The waterline project is funded by both Roanoke and Franklin counties and will take about 18 to 24 months, according to Baumgardner.

The waterline will be installed in VDOT’s right of way, parallel to the road for approximately 65,000 feet.

"Safety is a top concern," Baumgardner said. "We are working with VDOT to find the best times to do the work. Some of the work will be done at night."

Baumgardner also said that there is a high chance that drivers through that area may expect lane closures during the time of the project.

The first phase of construction has been awarded to A.J. Conner General Contractor, Inc. of Roanoke through a competitive bid process.

We had a previous post about the water line on June 17.

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