Council approves water main project in special meeting

In a special meeting held on Sept. 21, the Tehachapi City Council voted unanimously to award the contract for the Dennison Water Main Project to California Compaction Company, who submitted the low bid of $649,486.57. According to Andrew Norton from Public Works, the bid was actually under the estimated cost for the project. The projected plan is to replace a .50 mile of 14 inch diameter pipe and ductile fittings, tie-in connections to existing water lines, as well as the removal of the existing pipeline on Dennison Road between Highline Road and Abajo Avenue.

Norton told the Council that this area has created mounting maintenance expenses over the last few years caused by numerous leaks that have resulted in an increase in service interruptions and inadequate water flow to area residents. The urgency of the project resulted in accelerating the project by a year. Originally scheduled for the 2023/24 fiscal year, the City Council voted on Aug. 15 to move it up a year.

Norton said that the City opened bidding for the project on Sept. 14 with three bids being received. California Compaction Company has 120 days to complete the project which is why the contract was awarded now instead of waiting for an October City Council meeting, It is hoped to have the project completed before the onset of major winter weather.

Members of the City Council asked if the project would disrupt the flow of traffic on Dennison, Norton replied that the disruption is expected to be minimal as most of the project takes place off the side of the road.

The Tehachapi City Council meets on the first and third Monday of the month at 6 p.m. They are currently meeting at the Police Department Community Room, 220 W. C St.