MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Morgantown Utility Board (MUB) is ready to start the next phases of two multi-million dollar infrastructure projects after a brief delay to start in 2025.
After nearly two weeks of delays caused by winter weather and sub-zero temperatures, MUB General Manager Mike McNulty announced that piping for the approximately $14 million Westridge/Chaplin Hill Water and Sewer infrastructure project has been installed with subcontractors ready to work on the pump station replacement portion of the project. The announcement was made during the MUB board of directors regular meeting Tuesday, where McNulty stated that subcontracting work is set to begin this week, which will coincide with preliminary work on the Cheat Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades that was also affected by weather delays.
“Bear Contracting has completed the 12-inch PVC and the 16-inch HDP water line installation,” said McNulty. “We’re currently working on filling the water line, pressure testing, and back-T testing so we can officially put this line into service,” he said.
According to McNulty, Bear Contracting completed the installation of the 16-inch suction and discharge line for the new Chaplin Hill booster station and the surrounding piping not long after weather returned to above freezing levels in late January. Pressure testing is expected to take place when construction of the new booster station, which is a roof short of being fully completed. The hope for MUB is to have that portion of the upgraded water and sewer lines between the Chaplin Hill Business Park and Westridge active for use by the end of February.
“The subcontractor will begin block installation for the booster station later on this month,” said McNulty. “Bear plans to make the tie-in on the existing 16-inch water line and begin testing on the suction and discharge side of the booster station,” he said.
The next phase of the project will consist of a directional drill to accommodate an additional 16-inch pipeline installation that will be located near the Star City Bridge. This was delayed due to near sub-zero temperatures that have affected any drilling-related projects for the majority of 2025. McNulty stated that with the weather expected to stay above freezing for the near future, drilling will commence by the end of the week, with a goal to be completed before the end of summer 2025.
“A lot of work is being done, even with the weather,” said McNulty. “The subcontractor did mobilize for the 16-inch drill from Sheetz gas station to the Star City Bridge, and the 16-inch drill under Trope Hill, they plan to start drilling this week,” he said.
McNulty also reported to the MUB board of directors that preliminary work has also officially kicked off on the project that will upgrade the Cheat Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant. Early phase excavation has started on the approximately $46 million worth of upgrades to the plant that will range from pumping systems to UV disinfection with construction equipment firmly set on the site located a short drive away from major residential developments that are expected to grow in the coming years. With both the Westridge/Chaplin Hill Water and Sewer infrastructure project and the Cheat Lake WWTP upgrades years in the making, MUB and their subcontractors are ready to make more progress heading into the spring.
“It’s muddy right now, so progress is a bit slow, but they are excavating (up there),” said McNulty on the start of the Cheat Lake WWTP project. “Job trailers are set up, and all things considered, I feel like we’re making good progress,” he said.
The MUB Board of Directors also unanimously approved a contract bid from Anderson Excavating for work on Valley View stormwater improvements at approximately $596,000. The board also unanimously approved the appointment of Barbara Parsons as board chair and Tom Witt as vice-chair.