Monday, April 20, 2026 |
Photo – Example of “Cured in Place” epoxy pipe lining – Courtesy Town of Saratoga
Work on Saratoga’s latest sewer improvement project is nearly complete.
In March 2025, 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 proposal called for using cured‑in‑place epoxy lining to repair roughly 7,000 feet of deteriorating underground water lines. The method uses a flexible tube to essentially create a new pipe inside the existing lines. Sections deemed beyond repair would be excavated and replaced with new synthetic sewer pipes.
Rocky Mountain Sand and Gravel of Cheyenne was selected to carry out the West Bench Sanitary Sewer Improvement Project for $1,706,843. Shortly after beginning work last fall, the contractor discovered two sections of pipe on Saratoga Avenue, from 11th to 9th Streets, that were originally scheduled to be relined but needed to be replaced instead. The town council approved a $318,823 change order, bringing the project total to $2,025,666. A change order is a formal adjustment to the original contract, allowing for approved changes to cost, scope, or schedule after work has already started.
During the April 15th Saratoga Town Council meeting, Public Works Director Emery Penner presented the governing body with a second change order, this one for $22,348. Penner explained that Rocky Mountain Sand and Gravel struck an unknown water line while digging, forcing crews to wait while the break was repaired, then replace a damaged section of pipe afterward.
In addition, Penner said the pipe was disconnected, but left in place, as it only served a vacant home. Knowing the property will eventually be sold, the public works director said Rocky Mountain Sand and Gravel dug a trench for a future water connection.
Those two incidents led to the $22,348 change order.
The Saratoga Town Council unanimously approved the second change order, bringing the total project cost to $2,048,014.
After the vote, Penner announced that the West Bench Sanitary Sewer Improvement Project was nearly finished, with only minor details left to complete. The public works director said he was impressed the contractor repaired and replaced 7,000 feet of underground water lines so quickly, noting that the unusually warm and dry winter helped.
As the West Bench Project wraps up, town crews will continue replacing heavily corroded water valves under West Elm Avenue, working their way toward Highway 130. Penner also announced that design work to replace two sewer mains that cross the North Platte River is nearly complete, with hopes the job can begin in November, when water levels are low.
