Olsson handling design for $150M in water projects

Nebraska-based engineering and design firm Olsson has been working on nearly $150 million in water infrastructure projects to support growth in Northwest Arkansas.

The largest includes more than $105 million in construction for Beaver Water District. The construction comprises a new pump station in west Springdale along Highway 612 and a 7.5-mile water transmission line from the district’s treatment facility to the pump station. Beaver Water District provides drinking water to the four largest cities in Northwest Arkansas.

Brad Hammond, vice president and area leader at Olsson in Fayetteville, said the new 60-inch transmission line will be the first of its kind for Beaver Water District. Currently, cities run their lines to connect to its treatment facility. North Carolina-based Thalle Construction Co. is the contractor.

Adding a pump station will allow other cities to connect there instead of the treatment facility. Olsson is assisting Kansas-based engineering firm Black & Veatch on the project. Kansas-based Crossland Heavy Contractors is the contractor.

Springdale Water Utilities will be the first to connect to the pump station. The utility will run a 48-inch waterline about 4.1 miles from the station to its distribution system and add a 3-million-gallon water storage tank west of 40th Street to bolster water pressure in west Springdale and accommodate growth. Fort Worth, Texas-based Landmark Structures will build the 120-foot-tall storage tank for $10.5 million.

Hammond said the plan is to complete the 60-inch transmission line, pump station, 48-inch water line and water tower by the end of 2025. He’s been working on the transmission line project for about 14 years, starting with a study phase before the design and construction. He noted that the right-of-way for another 60-inch line is available, and casing will be installed under Interstate 49 to allow for the additional line when needed.

The 48-inch waterline has been in the works for about three years. It will be installed before Gene George Boulevard is extended from Elm Springs Road to County Line Road. The city of Springdale has plans to extend the road to the north, and the water line will run under the median of the estimated $20 million road project.