GALLIPOLIS — A long-awaited project providing a sanitary sewer as well as water line improvements to residents of the Spruce Street Extension in Gallipolis has finally reached the bidding phase.

As early as 1989, Spruce Street Extension residents were told by the Gallipolis City Commission that if they were annexed into the city then they would be provided with water and sewer service, according to a letter produced by Leah Wion during an October 2008 meeting. Twenty years later, the commission is making good on that promise thanks to nearly $500,000 in grant funding and a zero percent interest loan recently allotted to the city.

City Manager Randy Finney credits former City Manager Joe Woodall with getting the ball rolling on this project.

“(Woodall) is the one developing the project and he did a nice job putting it together,” Finney said.

According to Woodall, the city initially applied for funding in the fall of 2008 and had all but given up on the grants when a representative of the Ohio Public Works Commission advised the city last month that funds were available in the form of a $224,999 grant and $225,000 zero percent interest loan. In addition, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is contributing a $250,000 grant. Funding has been the city’s main obstacle.

“This is a project that’s been long-awaited,” Woodall said, referencing the 1989 letter.

He added that there is a definite need for the project since the current water line serving residents is small and insufficient, although safe, and will be replaced with an eight-inch line. Fire hydrants will be installed along the street. Currently there are no hydrants. And of course, a brand new sewer line will be installed.

“This will help current residents in that area with sewer options and will increase water pressure,” Finney said, noting that the current, smaller water line is unable to provide ample pressure.

He said that the new water and sewer lines will provide service to citizens who live approximately one mile out the extension.

A local resident has previously indicated to the commission that he intends to build a subdivision, possibly consisting of 20 to 30 homes, on the back side of the extension once sewer and water have been provided.

The project was put to bid on Thursday with an opening scheduled for Jan. 7. Woodall, who is the project manager, said he hopes to get started 30 days from the bid opening, though construction will be contingent on weather conditions. Bischoff Miller and Associates are engineering the project, which has been estimated to cost $695,000.

Woodall said this funding came as somewhat of a blessing since the city was getting ready to spend a good deal of money to fund this project itself.