East 7th sewer work in Tarentum moving forward, largely paid by grants

A major sewer project is finally moving forward in Tarentum, four years after council first started considering the work.

Manager Dwight Boddorf said work near East Seventh Avenue and South Ormond Street is back on the books.

“This is big for us,” he said.

The work is part of a DEP mandate to separate storm sewers to ease runoff. It also will divert water from a nearby spring.

The cost will be about $571,000, but taxpayers will pay only about one-third of the price.

The borough was awarded a $290,700 Community Development Block Grant and also got word that it will receive about $100,000 through the Gaming Economic Development and Tourism Fund.

The borough is responsible for about $180,000, Boddorf said.

“Sometimes these projects linger, but it’s good to see it moving forward,” Councilwoman Carrie Fox said.

Work will include excavating under the railroad tracks to connect to a line on Bridge Street. Boddorf said he is hopeful work will begin by summer but there are many moving parts to line up.

Council is expected to discuss the project during its meeting Tuesday.

Council President Scott Dadowski expects the project will have a “tremendous” impact on the borough.

“We all know about the aging infrastructure in Tarentum and all over the county,” he said.

“Anytime we have an opportunity to fix an issue and try to make that happen with possible grant money, it’s a win-win for our residents.”