Goodrich- Upgrades to a dilapidated century-old drain which had slowed to a trickle may soon start flowing once again.
Jim Gerth, director of surface water management for the Genesee County Drain Office, said look for work to resume in the month of April now that the snow is gone.
‘Survey crews should be in the village in the next few weeks,? said Gerth. ‘However, keep in mind that weather will be a major factor as the project moves forward in the village.?.
The crews will be in area of the Wheelock & Watkins Drain’an agricultural drain, built in 1897 and which encompasses a large section of the village, impacting about 100 residents. The old drain under the jurisdiction of Genesee County has been one possible cause of flooding of several residents? homes over the past few years. About four years ago the flooding intensified, prompting village officials to engage the county drain officials to investigate the issues. As a result, in 2013 petitions were signed and in a special meeting on April 9, 2013 at the village offices, a board of determination voted 3-0 to move forward with an upgrade to the Wheelock & Watkins Drain. By law, the drain commission must move forward with the project in a timely manner. After a final project cost is determined, the drain commission will then decide how payment for the funding is to be divided.
Although several delays slowed progress on the drain project, a letter was sent in late January notifying the Village of Goodrich that the Genesee County Drain Commissioner’s Office intended to proceed with the project.
‘Several reports will be needed to move forward,? added Gerth. ‘Primarily, a detailed survey collecting data necessary to draw up construction plans in the area of the drain will be completed within the next few months. That information will be used to prepare the bid documents so contractors will have plans.?
Gerth said landmarks including roadways, sewer lines, power lines and other utilities will be identified in the survey.
‘The field work will take three to four weeks and engineers will then thread the needle where improvement to the drain can go with minimal disruption to infrastructure,? he added. ‘By late summer we’ll have a better idea of just how long the project will take. As part of the survey, necessary easements will also be outlined.?