Tuesday, February 3, 2026 |
Photo – Town of Saratoga logo – Courtesy Town of Saratoga
Saratoga’s latest sewer replacement project is nearly complete.
Last March, the Saratoga Public Works Department and Engineering Associates began drafting plans to use 6th Penny Specific Purpose Tax funding to modernize sewer lines on the west side of town. Known as the West Bench Sanitary Sewer Improvement Project, the plan calls for the use of cured‑in‑place epoxy lining to repair roughly 7,000 feet of deteriorating pipe. Lines that are beyond repair will be dug up and replaced with new synthetic sewer mains.
The Cheyenne‑based contractor, Rocky Mountain Sand and Gravel, submitted the lowest bid of $1,482,272.50 and was awarded the project. Work began late last August, with an anticipated completion date of February 17th. As is typical with major infrastructure projects, costs climbed to $1,706,843 once the contractor began work. Nearly $319,000 in change orders has since pushed the current price to $2,025,666.
Rocky Mountain Sand and Gravel was expected to suspend work in December because of the winter. However, warmer‑than‑average temperatures and a lack of snow have allowed the contractor to continue the project. Speaking at the January 21st Saratoga Town Council meeting, Mayor Chuck Davis said the mild conditions have kept the Cheyenne‑based contractor on site, putting the project on track to finish ahead of schedule.
Later in the same meeting, Public Works Director Emery Penner presented the second pay application from Rocky Mountain Sand and Gravel. Penner said the majority of the $600,839.85 will come from already collected 6th Penny Special Purpose Tax revenue. The remainder will be taken out of the town’s WyoClass government investment account.
Rocky Mountain Sand and Gravel provided an itemized list of the material used between October 15th, when the previous pay application was submitted, and January 5th. Public Works Director Penner said he was satisfied with the documentation and explained that the contractor needed to perform an additional $3,385.50 worth of unexpected work in that timeframe.
Documents provided by the town show that Rocky Mountain Sand and Gravel installed $3,348 in eight‑inch PVC sewer line beyond the original estimates and did $172.50 of extra digging. However, the contractor spent $135 less than expected on a manhole cover, bringing the total increase to $3,385.50.
The Saratoga Town Council unanimously approved Rocky Mountain’s $600,839.85 pay application. Barring any more unexpected changes, the town still has $725,616.18 left to pay to complete the West Bench Sanitary Sewer Improvement Project.
