Preliminary work authorized for bridge water main project

BEATRICE – An engineering agreement to help relocate a major water main in west Beatrice has been given approval by the Beatrice City Council.

The agreement with Olsson, Inc. is connected to a project to relocate a major water main attached to the West Court Street Bridge over the Big Blue River.

Beatrice City Attorney Taylor Rivera says the work order is in advance of a plan to move the line underground.
"The idea here is to bore the water main under the Big Blue River. This agreement actually allows the engineering services to begin. There may be a possible extension along North 1st Street to ensure that a good angle can be obtained in order to stay out of the railroad right-of-way."

The water main is attached to the underside of the bridge along its north side. City officials say the line apparently has never sustained damage in any of the floods the city has experienced over the years.
The Nebraska Department of Transportation is planning to rebuild the West Court Street bridge in the coming years.

The water main would be bored under the river….similar to a project that took place a few years ago, at the South Sixth Street river bridge.