photo by: Contributed photo

A limestone storm sewer is pictured earlier this year along the East Ninth Street reconstruction project.

The discovery of an old limestone storm sewer line as part of the reconstruction of East Ninth Street will add extra costs and time to the project.

In July, the city began the project to reconstruct the road, storm sewer lines and sidewalks on a five-block segment of East Ninth Street between New Hampshire and Pennsylvania streets. Sidewalks will also be replaced along East Ninth Street between Pennsylvania and Delaware streets.

The project was originally scheduled to be complete Nov. 30 but has since been extended approximately three weeks, according to a city staff memo to the commission. The extension comes with an approximately $55,000 change order, which includes additional time and materials for storm sewer work, and brings the total project cost to $2.3 million. Pavers Inc. is completing the work.

According to correspondence materials provided to the commission, crews discovered that the storm sewers near the alley between Connecticut Street and New York Street were made out of limestone and were smaller and in worse condition than anticipated. Portions of the old limestone lines will be abandoned, and the additional costs cover demolition, removal and replacement of additional storm sewer lines, according to the memo.

The reconstruction of East Ninth Street is now scheduled to be substantially complete by Dec. 21, according to the memo.

photo by: Contributed photo

A limestone storm sewer is pictured earlier this year along the East Ninth Street reconstruction project.