Brawley Waterline Replacement Project Ahead of Schedule

Brawley CA - As of August 1, the Brawley City Council reports exciting progress on the Main Street waterline replacement project. The century-old infrastructure, stretching from First Street to Eastern Avenue, is being replaced at a cost of $8.5 million. Remarkably, the project is currently four months ahead of schedule.

Mayor Ramon Castro emphasized the urgency of replacing the aging waterlines. “It’s aging infrastructure, and we need to replace it now while we have the funds. It’s better to address it before it becomes an issue. There are some pretty old waterlines that need replacement. We’d rather do it now than wait for a waterline burst,” he said.

The exact age of the waterlines is difficult to determine, as they were built in different sections over time. “It’s hard to tell you how old they are because they were built in different sections, so there have been sections replaced as the town expanded,” Mayor Castro explained.

Ramon Castro also explained why the project is ahead of schedule. “You know, they found a different way to work around all their issues. They planned the project out well and had a pretty good timeline, allowing them to make good progress. We’re ahead of schedule right now, but as of now, we don’t know exactly how long it’s going to take to finish,” he stated.

Junie Marmolejo, spokesperson from the Holt Group, construction managers for the project, provided an update on the progress. “We are four months ahead of schedule from the end date,” said Marmolejo. “The project calls for roughly 7,300 lineal feet of pipe from First Street to Eastern Avenue. We are removing eight-inch waterlines and replacing them with twelve-inch PVC lines, valves, fittings, and connections, which will give us better control of our waterline throughout the city.”

The project is being executed in ten phases, and the team is already in phase 4, which will be completed by July 10. Phase 5, running from South Plaza to Sixth Street, is set to begin immediately after. “We should be in phase 2 right now, so we’re way ahead of schedule,” Marmolejo noted.

Despite the accelerated pace, some challenges remain. “Phase 7 will slow down a bit because we must go under the railroad tracks, starting on August 15 and completing sometime in September,” said Marmolejo.

The project began on January 29, 2024, with an original completion date of February 25, 2025. However, with the current pace, completion might be possible by late 2024. Out of the $8.5 million budget, $2.3 million has been spent so far, with no change orders yet, though some are anticipated in the future.

Mayor Castro highlighted the efforts to minimize disruptions to residents. “Most of the work takes place at night to reduce the impact on residents. The project is still ongoing, and they’re working hard to finish ahead of schedule,” he said.

The final stages of the project will include resurfacing the roadway and striping, each taking about two weeks. “The contractor is very experienced and knowledgeable, which is why the project is ahead of schedule,” concluded Marmolejo.

Brawley residents can look forward to improved water infrastructure and a smoother Main Street much sooner than initially anticipated.