BUCKHANNON — On Monday, March 8, the Buckhannon Sewer Department will begin its portion of a joint venture that will replace all existing utility lines under North Spring Street.

The project has been in the planning stages for over four years and will include work from the City of Buckhannon’s Water, Sewer, and Street Departments, as well as Mountaineer Gas. When completed, the infrastructure under North Spring Street will include all new water lines, stormwater lines, sewer lines and gas lines and the Street Department will top it with new pavement.

City of Buckhannon’s Director of Public Works, Jerry Arnold, is proud of the efforts put forth by Supervisors Bryan “Buck” Samples (Sewer), Kelly Arnold (Water), Brad Hawkins (Street), and City Engineer Jay Hollen, along with Sewer System Engineering Consultant, Sam Ludlow, in working together to develop a plan so that in a period of a few months, a major portion of our downtown will have its infrastructure upgraded and the streets and sidewalks replaced in a manner that will be enjoyed by our residents for many years to come.

“I commend our team for the way they have all pulled together on this much-needed project,” said Mr. Arnold.

Mayor Robbie Skinner issued this statement, “I am excited that we can finally begin the North Spring Street Project that has been needed for over 20 years! As a Council Member, and now as the Mayor, I have been supportive of this effort knowing that we have been living on borrowed time with our aging infrastructure.”

The Mayor continued, “This is just the type of project a portion of the City’s sales tax is meant to be used for.”

Over the next few days, North Spring Street will be partially closed but eventually it will be entirely closed until completion of the project. As part of the planning, the Street Department will make sure that detours are in place so that residents can get to all businesses on North Spring Street by way of Main Street and Willard Way.

Thank you for your patience during this project.