Last modified: Monday, November 17, 2008 10:32 AM PST KATIE PIZZA | ARGUS OBSERVER Detour signs highlighting work to construct a sewer pipeline to S.E. 16th Ave., near the south property line of Boston Beef. City Engineering Technician Dan Shepard said the project will allow other interested properties to connect in the future. Sewer work slated By Katie Pizza Argus Observer Ontario—Ontario Public Works crews are working to extend a sewer line on Southeast Second Street to S.E. 16th Ave., with the 710 feet of 12-inch sewer line set to be installed by Thanksgiving. Ontario City Engineering Technician Dan Shepard said Friday afternoon that crews are currently installing a manhole cover just inside city limits. “There’s a fairly large hole going up,” he said. “It’s about 20-feet deep.” Shepard said the contract for the work was accepted by Mid-Valley construction on a bid of $96,980. Other bids for the project, which also includes pipe, manholes, services and surface restoration, ranged from $137,590 to $338,810 according to city documents. However, one of the bids did not have a listed price. This bid, from Cascade Pipeline Group was rejected because of two irregularities. The first was the lump sum was not the same throughout the bid and the total project cost that was required to be written out in words was illegible because of overwriting. After staff reviewed the bid, they decided to reject it. At its August 18 City Council meeting, council members approved the project to construct pipeline to S.E. 16th Ave., near the south property line of Boston Beef. Shepard said the project will allow other interested properties to connect in the future. Shepard said the size of the pipes make it easier for other companies to connect to the line if they choose to do so.  If the other properties are not annexed into the city, he said, they will have to annex into the city before connecting and will also have to pay “their fair share of the cost.” At this time, he said, Boston Beef is the only company that expressed an interest in connecting. However, because the project ends at a manhole on S.E. 16th Street, Shepard said future contractors will have an easier time connecting sewer lines to interested parties. “I know it’s been in the works for a long time and I know it definitely needed to be done,” newly-elected city council member Norm Crume said. Originally, council members sought to make the area a separate district, but after several meetings between city and county staff, the city decided not to go that route. At its July 28 meeting, the council voted to rescind the earlier resolution to create a reimbursement district. One reason for this, city documents from July said, is because of the cost of administration and the interest rate that would accumulate every year if the district was not paid off. Instead, the city opted to provide interim financing for the project, with companies helping to pay off that financing when they connect to the sewer line. In an interview Friday, Ontario City Manager Henry Lawrence said he believed the project would “help infrastructure” because other areas in the area that need sewer connection will be able to hook up in the future. “We’re able to put it in with Boston Beef’s help,” he said, citing the fact that Boston Beef will help pay its share of the construction costs. Currently, construction is moving as planned. “We’re hoping to get everything in the ground, covered up and re-paved before Thanksgiving,” Shepard said. Looking for more local news? Go to www.argusobserver.com