ROW acquisition begins for 7 south

The first condemnation order acquiring right of way for the widening of Highway 7 south has been granted, putting the 1.72-mile project on track to be bid by next summer.

Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department spokesman Danny Straessle said the 0.07-acre right of way acquisition from a car dealership at 5585 Central Ave. is the first of 58 condemnations needed for the project. The declaration of taking filed July 18 estimated that $16,350 was just compensation for the property.

Straessle said right of way acquisition for the widening of Highway 7 from the south shore bridge over Lake Hamilton to Highway 290 should be completed by late summer or early fall. City Engineer Gary Carnahan told the Hot Springs Board of Directors earlier this year that the road will be widened to five lanes and include sidewalks and bike lanes.

State and federal money will pay for the estimated $7.7 million project, but Carnahan said an engineering firm contracted by the city has said relocating four water and sewer mains in the AHTD's right of way will cost the city more than $2 million.

The city issued a $98,800 contract to Engineers Inc. earlier this year to design, bid and inspect the relocation project. The firm estimated a $2,415,390 cost to move the four mains. Carnahan said the city will be reimbursed for moving segments that aren't in the current AHTD right of way. Engineers Inc. estimates that $310,434 of the $2.4 million cost is eligible for reimbursement.

In addition to city water and sewer lines, Straessle said utilities owned by AT&T Arkansas, CenterPoint Energy, Entergy Arkansas Inc. and Resort TV Cable will have to be relocated. Moving them should take about 10 months after all the right of way is acquired, Straessle said.

Carnahan said the affected utilities have met several times to coordinate their relocation work.

"This project requires a coordinated engineering effort by all the utility companies, so the relocated line locations will be compatible with the other utilities," he said.

The project is beyond the city limits, but Carnahan said a large portion of the 145-square mile footprint of the city's water and sewer system extends beyond the corporate boundaries. More than half the 35,000 meters it serves are outside the city.

"This is just one more example of the cost of operating a water and wastewater system," Carnahan, referring to the cost of relocating water and sewer lines, said. "It's not easy or inexpensive."

Straessle said the project should be completed in less than three years once construction bids are solicited next summer.