Prep work underway for Freeport sewer project

A construction crew is installing temporary shoring along Buffalo Creek at Freeport’s sewer plant so an Oakdale company can begin work on the first stage of the nearly $12 million renovation of the facility.

The Phase 1 work by Jet Jack is almost six months later than expected, Freeport officials say.

High water levels since October have created the delay, according to a Jet Jack manager.

Brian Churilla of KLH Engineers recently said river levels from October through March were about a foot higher than average. The borough hired KLH as construction manager for the overall sewer project.

When the prep work is done, crews will put in two sewer lines parallel to an existing line that sends overflow raw sewage into the river. Eventually, steps will be taken to stop that from happening, Churilla said.

When Phase 1 is completed, Jet Jack will have installed about 1,650 feet of 10- to 27-inch sewer line to the borough’s treatment plant at the end of First Street. The work includes 14 manholes.

Jet Jack employees used two excavators to lift half-ton steel plates and then install them in a line just above the ground along Buffalo Creek.

While one excavator was chaining up a piece of steel stored near a fence at the plant, the second excavator was placing another plate and then driving it into place.

In the latest communication from Jet Jack to KLH, the contractor estimates phase completion in July, Churilla said.

He said a revised agreement is needed with Jet Jack that takes into consideration the weather delays.

Meanwhile, sewer pipe and manholes are being stored at the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission’s Freeport Boat Launch. A Jet Jack project manager said the work won’t impact fishermen.

Jet Jack’s Jon Hoffman said the company will comply with all fish commission rules protecting its land and anglers.

It stipulates that, in mid-May, anglers must have priority at the boat ramp.