Engineer updates council on Sunflower Valley, raw water main, Town Center sewer, pump station and INDOT relocations

Town Engineer Mike Harris briefed the Town of Sellersburg Town Council on a package of infrastructure projects, reporting progress, outstanding tasks and scheduling.

On the Sunflower Valley project, Harris said all easements and rights-of-entry have been obtained and recorded and the project is ready to be put out to bid. He stated that the Indiana Finance Authority (IFA) will pay for construction and the inspection portion, and that no town funds are allocated for that element of the project.

Regarding a proposed raw water main alignment, Harris said crews completed drone-based LIDAR and traditional survey work and assembled preliminary plans and specifications; locating existing utilities along the route remains the biggest challenge. "It's kind of a spaghetti mess along that alignment," Harris said, referring to the density of existing utilities.

For the Town Center sewer project Harris reported that easements are secured for six properties, staff negotiated changes requested by property owners, and they developed an approach for the O'Neal property so the system can be used in the future without delaying construction. On the IvyTech pump station, Harris described the work as "substantially complete," with pumps and piping installed and only punch-list and cleanup items remaining prior to final acceptance.

Harris also outlined utility relocation work tied to INDOT projects on Highway 60 and St. Joe East; those relocations went out for bids or quotes, TRC was the low bidder, and crews were expected to begin work the week of the meeting with a mid-June target for completion, weather permitting. Harris said CCMG paving and related concrete work will occur over the summer after schools are out, with some concrete work starting immediately to avoid school traffic impacts.

Councilors asked logistical questions, including the location and background of the contractor TRC; Harris indicated the firm is likely based in Louisville or Clarksville and has performed local work previously.

The updates give the council a roadmap for summer construction and next steps for contract administration; staff answered operational questions and indicated punch-list and scheduling items remain to be closed out before final project completions.