News

Tree Removal on North Montgomery Makes Way for New Sidewalk and Water Main

Crews will begin removing trees March 8 to prepare for improvement project

STARKVILLE – Starting Monday, tree-cutting crews will be busy on North Montgomery Street preparing for Starkville Utilities’ water-main replacement project, which also includes the construction of a wider, smoother and safer sidewalk for pedestrians.

The project involves the removal of several trees along North Montgomery, an approximate quarter-mile stretch from Oktibbeha Drive to Critz Street, followed by the removal of the old and buckling four-foot sidewalk. After installing a new 10-inch water main, crews will construct a five-foot sidewalk that complies with American Disability Act standards.

“The first phase of the North Montgomery water main reinvestment project is part of our Future FOCUS initiative to ensure our customers are served with safe, reliable, affordable utilities now and well into the future,” said Terry Kemp, general manager, Starkville Utilities. In addition to improving water-system reliability, we have an opportunity to provide a safer, more attractive sidewalk for pedestrians.”

Starkville Utilities has estimated that the project will take approximately two months to complete, weather permitting. Tree removal and construction have been scheduled to minimize impact to traffic flow along North Montgomery as much as possible.

Project planners analyzed several options for upgrading the water system based on cost and community impact and determined that best location for the new infrastructure would be on the west side of the street under the sidewalk.

Currently there are four induvial lines along this study route that are 35 to 80 years old and have experienced several leaks in recent years that have disrupted service. Crews plan to replace these aged lines with a single, 10-inch fire-pressure main designed to serve customers more reliably and efficiently.

In response to community feedback, Starkville Utilities preserved a mulberry tree and a chinaberry tree along the route that were of significance to residents. Removed trees will be replaced by appropriately sized ornamental trees whose root systems will not interfere with the sidewalk or utilities.

Starkville Utilities is a municipally owned and operated electric and water utility, serving more than 14,000 residences, businesses and industries in Starkville as well as the state’s largest institution of higher learning, Mississippi State University.

We are a Water and Electric Utilities Company in Starkville