April 21, 2023
Keeping downtown customers in the loop will be a priority throughout the downtown water system upgrade that is set to begin in late May.
During a recent preconstruction meeting, Starkville Utilities discussed the project schedule with the selected contractor, DNA Underground, LLC, and clarified details and expectations. Both parties agreed that customer communications will be a top priority.
“Our goal is to minimize customer impacts as much as possible,” said Edward Kemp, general manager of Starkville Utilities. “In cases where service disruptions are expected, DNA Underground will communicate in advance with customers to coordinate work and ensure everyone is on the same page. To further minimize impacts, any planned outages will take place outside of normal business hours as much as possible.”
During the project, crews will install new water mains and replace undersized sewer components, with most of the work in three areas: Main Street from City Hall to Jackson Street; Lampkin Street from Washington to Montgomery streets; and Washington and Jackson, both from Main to Lampkin. DNA Underground expects to complete the project in early 2024.
Because the upgrade involves excavating pavement to install new water lines, portions of the project will require lane closures and impact parking areas. Traffic-control measures will be used to enhance driver and pedestrian safety.
Starkville Utilities plans to regularly update customers using the project email list (downtownwater@starkvilleutilities.com) and encourages individuals interested in keeping up with the project status to send an email to the referenced address to be added to the distribution.
The first phase starting in late May will focus on Main Street, which was scheduled during summer months when local traffic volume is lower.
In addition to upgrading and modernizing underground infrastructure, the downtown water project will set the stage for a series of street, sidewalk and landscaping improvements planned for the downtown area.
Starkville Utilities is a public utility serving 14,000 residences, businesses and industries in Starkville, Mississippi as well as Mississippi State University. Its mission is to supply safe, reliable, and cost-effective electric and water service of superior quality and value that improves the lives of its customers.