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The Altoona Water Authority is planning to replace a troublesome waterline along Logan Boulevard next year at a cost of perhaps $7 million.
The work to replace the thin-walled, low-quality cast iron line that was installed in the 1950s between Plank and Brush Mountain roads will take place prior to PennDOT's repaving of the boulevard in 2026.
The scope of work is too great to be practical for the authority's own workers, so the organization will bid the work and probably borrow the money from PennVEST to do it, according to General Manager Mark Perry.
The line frequently leaks throughout that 2.6-mile stretch, said Water Operations Director Mike Bianconi.
The new line will be 12 inches in diameter between Plank Road and Larch Street and 8 inches the rest of the way, Bianconi said.
Most of the new line will be plastic, but some of it will be ductile iron, including a steep section where special joints will be used to prevent slippage.
Using plastic will save about $250,000, Perry said.
The plastic is not as resistant to damage from disturbance caused by excavation, but the risk of that kind of "abuse" is low, according to Perry.
The project is currently in design.
PennDOT has postponed its repaving project so the authority and other utility companies can complete replacement projects, thus avoiding post-paving damage.
The authority tries to coordinate pipe replacement projects with PennDOT and the city to avoid tearing up recently resurfaced roads, Perry said. The project will take two or three months.
Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.