Rain delays work on city sewer project

COLUMBIA - The sewer project in the Old Southwest is planned to be finished in mid- to late September. The project has been delayed because of excessive rain, said Jill Stedem, public information specialist for the Columbia Public Works Department.

The city is changing 53 private sewer lines to public city lines.

The project has 50 working days left until the project is considered late.

"We've only had one to two weeks this summer that we've been able to work a full week on the project because of the rain," said Matt Hawkins, project manager for the concrete division of Columbia Curb and Gutter, the lead contractor on the project.

Hawkins said maps of the private sewer line area have also delayed the project because they do not match up with the city sewer line maps. Stedem said that it is a common problem when sewer lines are switched from private to public lines.