Downtown Drainage Project
Since 2020, the Town of Plymouth has been working on plans for rebuilding the stormwater drainage system in the South Main Street and Russell Street area. This project will involve removing the 100+-year-old system and replacing it with new catch basins and pipes. In addition, to meet current environmental standards, a stormwater detention pond will be constructed near the skateboard park.Infrastructure projects are very expensive and there are many Federal regulations that the Town of Plymouth must follow including procurement of engineering services, environmental permits, bidding, construction safety, labor standards, and reporting. The current cost estimate is $5.3 million and the Town has been awarded a grant of $2.7 million from the US Department of Commerce Economic Development Agency (EDA) for the project. The Town of Plymouth is responsible for the remaining project costs.
The project scope, as authorized by EDA is: “The construction of stormwater management infrastructure improvements on Main, Russell and Warren Streets in the downtown commercial district consisting of approximately 4,750 LF of 12-to-30-inch stormwater pipelines, 83 drainage structures, a drainage outfall detention pond south of Main Street, 14,000 SY of roadway reconstruction, 2,500 SY of sidewalk reconstruction and lighting improvements and other related appurtenances as needed.
Main Street Drainage
Summary for Town Meeting & Bond Request: Warrant Article Passed
- The underground pipes and catch basins that make up Plymouth’s drainage system on the southern end of Main Street are over 100 years old. We regularly have flooding and other problems in this area. The system no longer works and needs to be replaced.
- In 2020, Plymouth worked with an engineering firm (Wright-Pierce) to assess the stormwater drainage on South Main Street and uphill on Russell Street.
- The study identified that the system needs to be rebuilt. The total cost estimate for design and construction of the drainage system was $3,375,000 (in 2020).
- In 2021, the Town applied to the US Department of Commerce Economic Development Agency (EDA) for funding to re-construct the drainage on South Main and Russell Streets. We were awarded a $2.7 million grant to pay for 80% of the project. The Town dedicated $675,000 in matching funds to the project.
- The Town hired HEB Engineers, Inc. in 2021 to complete the design of a new drainage system, acquire environmental permits, and obtain bids for the construction phase in accordance with EDA’s requirements.
- We have bid the project three times in 2022 – first in the Summer and again in the Fall. At the 3rd bid opening on January 27, 2023, we received only one bid which was from Granese & Sons, Inc. from Salam, MA. Their bid for the construction of the drainage is $4,647,005. This is approximately $2 million more than the cost estimate from 2020.
- The contractor (N. Granese & Sons, Inc.) will also be working for Plymouth Village Water and Sewer District (PVWSD) on their water and sewer infrastructure upgrades staring this year. Having the same contractor work on the Town’s drainage work will be more efficient for the community and it is important that we move ahead with the construction in 2023.
- The total cost for design, engineering, construction, administrative, and legal fees is now $5.3 million. EDA’s grant will pay for $2.7 million of the total project cost (51%) and the Town of Plymouth is required to cover the additional $2.6 million (49%). The Town already has approximately $800,000 available, but in order to proceed, a bond of $1.8 million is needed.
- Tonight, the Town of Plymouth is asking voters to support this $1.8 million bond so we can start construction in by May 2023.
- If we don’t start construction by May 8, we may lose our $2.7 million grant from EDA.
- Without support from the Town of Plymouth for this bond tonight, we will not be able to proceed with the project this year and the Town will likely have to pay for 100% of the project in the future.
- The Select Board recommends approval of the bond.
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Downtown Drainage Project
- Infrastructure projects are very expensive. The Town has not invested in repairs in recent years so now we have to completely rebuild the drainage, roadway, and sidewalk for this project.
- There are many Federal regulations that the Town of Plymouth must follow including procurement of engineering services, environmental permits, bidding, construction safety, labor standards, grant administration and reporting.These all add costs, but are required parts of the project.
During the design, there were several changes to the original project concept that had to be incorporated in order to comply with environmental regulations. This added approximately $475,000 in cost for the design and the bid for construction due to needing to add drainage on the lower portion of Warren Street and a new stormwater detention pond which will be near the skateboard park.
Since the original cost estimate from 2020 construction costs have greatly increased in part due to a shortage of materials as well as increases in cost of fuel and labor resulting in all bids being over budget. There has been minimal interest by contractors in the project.
Despite extensively advertising and bidding the project 3 times, we have received very little interest from contractors. The first bid resulted in 3 bidders, the second and third only one. All bids received have been over budget.
Since the original cost estimate from 2020 construction costs have greatly increased in part due to a shortage of materials as well as increases in cost of fuel and labor resulting in all bids being over budget. There has been minimal interest by contractors in the project.
Despite extensively advertising and bidding the project 3 times, we have received very little interest from contractors. The first bid resulted in 3 bidders, the second and third only one. All bids received have been over budget.
- After bidding 3 times, we have done our due diligence to obtain the best pricing in this economy.
- Every time we go through the bidding phase, there is a cost for our engineers to prepare documents, advertise, and tabulate bids. (Cost is approx. $4500 per bidding)
- We originally planned to start construction in 2022, but have been delayed due to design changes, coordination with PVWSD, and the lack of bids. EDA requires that we start by May 8, 2023 and if we don’t, then we could lose our grant.
- Main Street is Route 3 and a state highway. However, the state’s ownership is for the road. The Town of Plymouth became responsible for the drainage in 1957 (per a letter from NHDOT).
- Russell St is a town road.
- Applying for grants is time consuming and we have to provide matching funds of at least 20% of the total project cost, so we would still need a bond.
- At this point, we do not have time to seek additional grant funds as we need to start construction in May.
- Due to the overall cost of the project, in 2020 the Town decided to focus on the stormwater infrastructure and rebuilding the associated roads and sidewalks without adding additional amenities.
- Widening the road would require acquiring property which would add costs.
- The project scope, as authorized by EDA is: “The construction of stormwater management infrastructure improvements on Main, Russell and Warren Streets in the downtown commercial district consisting of approximately 4,750 LF of 12-to-30-inch stormwater pipelines, 83 drainage structures, a drainage outfall detention pond south of Main Street, 14,000 SY of roadway reconstruction, 2,500 SY of sidewalk reconstruction and lighting improvements and other related appurtenances as needed.”
There will be a complete rebuild of the road and sidewalks on South Main Street and Russell Street, plus new road way on Warren Street from Russell to Main.
- Provided the bond is approved, construction should start in May. The contractor expects to complete most all the work by November 2023, but weather and supply chains could impact the project schedule.
- We expect some work in 2024, such as final paving and seeding.
- There will be regular updates about the schedule on the Town’s website.
- The contract for construction specifies that at least one lane of traffic is to be maintained at all times.There could be shut downs for brief periods and, except in emergencies, the contractor must give the Town notice.
- The contractor will provide traffic control signs and flaggers throughout the project.