City of Bentonville’s Comprehensive Utility Alignment Project

The City of Bentonville, in collaboration with the Bentonville Water Utility (BWU) and Halff Associates, is advancing a large-scale utility alignment project along the HWY 102 corridor. The project, designed to improve water and sewer infrastructure, involves multiple phases and aims to coordinate efforts with various utility providers, ensuring efficient and cost-effective service upgrades for the community.

Scope of Work

The project covers a range of services, beginning with Project Management and continuing through Alignment Study, Design Phase, and Special Services. Here are the main components:

1. Project Management

   • Over 12 monthly coordination meetings with BWU and up to eight additional meetings with sub-consultants and utility providers.

   • A detailed project schedule, bi-weekly status reports, and monthly invoices will be submitted to keep the city informed of progress.

   • Coordination with key stakeholders, including ARDOT, Wal-Mart Home Office, Black Hills Energy, and other utility companies, to ensure all project requirements are met.

2. Alignment Study

   • This phase includes a visual survey and documentation of all existing water and sewer utilities within the project limits. Key elements such as utility easement documentation, facility reimbursement eligibility from ARDOT, and environmental reviews will be addressed.

   • Workshops with BWU staff will define utility relocation alignments, easement requirements, and technical details for water and sewer facilities.

   • The study will culminate in a Design Memo and a Preliminary Sketch outlining findings and recommendations.

3. Design Phase

   • Following the approval of the Alignment Study, the project will enter the Design Phase, where detailed plans for water and sewer facilities will be drawn.

   • This phase includes topographic and boundary surveys, subsurface utility engineering, and geotechnical investigations to assess the current conditions.

   • The city will review the 60% plan set before finalizing designs and obtaining the necessary permits from local and state agencies, including ARDOT, Arkansas Department of Health, and ADEQ.

4. Special Services

   • Topographic Survey: A detailed survey covering 104 parcels will locate utilities, assess property elevations, and create a comprehensive topographic map.

   • Boundary Survey: Halff will survey the boundary lines of parcels to determine property limits for utility relocations.

   • Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE): This involves the excavation of up to 22 locations to inspect critical utility crossings.

   • Geotechnical Engineering: Exploratory borings will assess soil conditions for the utility relocation work.

5. Easement and Acquisition Services

   • Easements will be prepared for the 104 parcels involved in the project, with Halff overseeing all necessary title searches, document preparation, and easement acquisitions.

   • Appraisal services will be conducted for up to 75 properties to determine the value of land and improvements, with potential for environmental reviews as needed.

Public Engagement

To ensure transparency and keep residents informed, BWU will provide bi-weekly project updates and a detailed project sheet outlining progress, status, and next steps. The City of Bentonville has emphasized the importance of keeping the public involved throughout the project, particularly as it impacts utility services along the HWY 102 corridor.

Conclusion

This extensive utility alignment project reflects Bentonville’s commitment to enhancing its water and sewer infrastructure. By coordinating with multiple utility providers and state agencies, the city aims to minimize disruptions while upgrading essential services. The project is poised to improve water and sewer reliability, benefiting both current residents and future growth in the community.