MORGANTOWN – With the upper Popenoe Run restoration project largely in the rearview mirror, the Morgantown Utility Board is shifting its attention to the stream’s lower portion.
On Tuesday, MUB approved a $72,000 task order for Thrasher Group to develop a preliminary engineering report and hydraulic study of lower Popenoe Run.
“Thrasher will evaluate the condition of the existing stormwater system from the WVU Alumni [Center] Pond – and even do some evaluation upstream as far as the hydraulic analysis goes – down Patteson Drive and into Krepps Park, and recommend project alternatives,” MUB General Manager Mike McNulty said. “As the board will recall, we’ve had some issues with some sinkholes developing because of the deterioration of the stormwater piping and some areas along the open channel where it’s sloughing off.”
Asked if future work along lower Popenoe Run would impact some flooding issues in portions of Suncrest surrounding Krepps Park, McNulty said it’s difficult to say before seeing Thrasher’s report.
However, he continued, the recently completed upper Popenor Run work should take significant pressure off those areas.
“I definitely believe that what we just completed is going to have a very positive impact on all the downstream residences,” McNulty said.
The Popenoe Run watershed has been an area of focus since the flooding events in the summer of 2021.
As part of the recently completed $3.28 million upper Popenoe Run project, Laurita Excavating replaced 3,500 feet of sewer main and 1,000 feet of service laterals, constructed 33 manholes, installed 560 feet of storm main with five new inlets and rehabilitated the culvert beneath Hoffman Avenue. The project also reshaped and restored 3,000 feet of stream and planted more than 200 trees.
Also during Tuesday’s meeting, the board approved bids for three projects totaling just over $627,000.
The first will support the Neely Village Development located off Fairchance Road with 1,677 feet of gravity sewer main. Parrotta Paving was awarded a $268,691.67 contract to do the work.
Parrotta Paving was also tapped for a $128,904 project to install 626 feet of eight-inch gravity sewer main, 230 feet of eight-inch water line, and 75 feet of two-inch water line to serve the Woodford Oil maintenance facility in the Chaplin Hill Business Park.
The third project, awarded to the B.C. Allen Company for $229,567, will be the opening phase of a sewer project serving the Willow Springs development, off Brand Road. That work will include the installation of 1,399 feet of eight-inch gravity sewer main and the placement of 10 manholes.
Lastly, the board met in closed session to discuss the general manager’s annual evaluation. Upon returning, the body approved the same 3% cost of living raise for McNulty that was provided to all MUB employees as part of the budgeting process.
