Friday, February 6, 2026 |
Photo – Example of cure – in – place epoxy – Courtesy Town of Saratoga
Work on Saratoga’s sewer improvement project will stop for the winter.
Last March, the Saratoga Public Works Department and Engineering Associates drafted 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 called for using cured‑in‑place epoxy lining to repair roughly 7,000 feet of deteriorating pipe. Lines deemed beyond repair will be excavated and replaced with new synthetic sewer pipes.
Rocky Mountain Sand and Gravel of Cheyenne was selected to perform the West Bench Sanitary Sewer Improvement Project for a total cost of $2,025,666. Work began late last August, with an anticipated completion date of February 17th.
The contractor was expected to suspend work in December due to winter conditions, but warmer‑than‑average temperatures and a lack of snow have allowed crews to remain on site until now.
During Wednesday’s Saratoga Town Council meeting, Public Works Director Emery Penner presented a letter from Rocky Mountain Sand and Gravel requesting a winter shutdown. Penner explained that the contractor encountered a heavy frost layer while digging and has asked to return in the spring. The public works director said he supports the temporary shutdown because work has been advancing faster than anticipated.
The letter from Rocky Mountain Sand and Gravel states that, due to current winter weather and increasing ground frost, continuing work has become impractical and could damage equipment.
Submitted on January 23rd, the letter requested authorization to halt work for the winter effective that same day. The contractor wrote that operations would resume once conditions improve and frost levels recede enough to allow safe and productive construction.
Rocky Mountain Sand and Gravel did not specify when work might restart, noting only that the company will remain in contact with the town regarding a potential return date.
At Wednesday’s Saratoga Town Council meeting, Public Works Director Emery Penner said the shutdown will inevitably affect the project’s completion date, though he still supports the seasonal stoppage. The governing body unanimously voted to allow Rocky Mountain Sand and Gravel to leave the job unfinished until spring weather allows digging to resume. At that point, a new completion date will be discussed.
