The Public Utility Board approved awarding a construction contract to Mountain Cascade of Texas for the Milan Creek gravity sewer and lift-station work, which staff said supports TxDOT I-35 widening and is partially reimbursable by TxDOT.

Sean Messick of Capital Projects summarized the scope as water-line and wastewater relocations and abandonment, a new lift station and related work tied to TxDOT’s I-35 widening. Staff said the IFB (Invitation for Bid) received two bids, Mountain Cascade and S.J. Lewis, with Mountain Cascade the low bidder at roughly $15.3 million. Messick said staff recommends awarding the contract to Mountain Cascade with a contingency of about $763,000 and a not-to-exceed amount near $16 million, and projected construction completion in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Board members clarified geography and reimbursement: staff said the work spans from U.S. 77 north to Ganser Road and that a portion of the lift-station costs will be reimbursed by TxDOT, though exact reimbursement shares are still being finalized as staff coordinate with TxDOT and other partners. Messick said parts of the lift-station cost are expected to be reimbursable.

The board voted to approve the contract award; staff expects to begin construction in Q2 2025 and complete construction in Q4 2026, per the presentation.