Updated 1-3-11
WSDOT and contractor Manson-Mowat have successfully relocated an underwater sewer city line that was in the path of the seventh, and final, pier for the new SR 303 Manette Bridge in Bremerton.
Relocation began in early November 2010 and was completed in late December 2010.
The work was not included in the original contract. During the design phase, both state and city of Bremerton engineers and plan reviewers overlooked the fact that the sewer line was in conflict with the planned foundation for pier No. 7.
The sewer relocation does not raise the overall project budget of $57.8 million because it will be paid out of a $3 million risk reserve pool, which includes risk for utilities. WSDOT works to manage risks within the budget, but relies on additional risk reserves for unforeseen problems or issues.
WSDOT is continuing to look at the history of the Manette Bridge replacement project, which started in 1996, to determine when and how the sewer utility line was overlooked by the state and city.
The new bridge is expected to be completed in early 2012. The project engineer will look for opportunities to recover as much of the additional time as possible – including re-sequencing activities – in order to reduce the impact on bridge users.