The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

On September15 at 7 p.m. at the City Hall, there will be a town meeting to discuss the new storm drainage system going down the main street, replacing the old nonworking drains on Johannes. The project will start next spring. After the drains are installed, the main street will get a new coat of asphalt. The city council would love a large turnout to this town hall meeting, especially if you have any questions.

Mayor Shaud Schwarzbach said, "We got this done, and we didn't have to raise taxes!" However, he warned anyone living on Johannes Ave that they need to be aware that a brand-new street will be in place and the soils don't compact well. The city will not be able to ignore any dip caused by fixing a failed sewer system along the main street, and the owner will need to pay to fix the problem and replace the asphalt. Now would be good to check the sewer lines and fix them before the cost becomes astronomical.

Rick Darlington told me that Chouteau County gave money to finish paying for the project! Because of this county partnership, we were able to fix the problem without raising taxes and because of the funds Chouteau County received from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). This is COVID Stimulus money given to the county. Mayor Shaud Schwarzbach said, "we cannot thank the county enough for the support of this project." Every town in Chouteau county received some of the funding, but Big Sandy will put their funds into fixing the drainage problem.

According to the grant application created by KLJ Engineers for the town of Big Sandy, they said, "Johannes Avenue is the main street of the town, and approximately 29 acres contributes to the stormwater runoff. The contributing area includes commercial development, mostly along Main Street, and low to medium density residential areas. The contributing drainage basin is located mostly in the northeastern portion of town."

"The foundation of the storm sewer system was laid when the town was initially developed, and the streets were graded by residents in the early 1900's. Main street has an inverted crown cross-section and has two inlets in the center of the street, one at the intersection of 1st Street and Main and the other at the intersection of 2nd Street and Main. The storm drain infrastructure is located perpendicular to Main Street along 1st Street and 2nd Street. The northernmost inlet on Main Street is connected to approximately 130 feet of covered storm drain ditch to the northeast and 400 feet of storm drain pipe to the southwest. The storm drain pipe to the southwest transitions from 15-inch diameter corrugated steel pipe to 18-inch diameter corrugated plastic pipe at a downstream inlet. Two additional curb opening and grate inlets, located 138 feet and 224 feet downstream from the Main Street inlet, discharge stormwater into this stretch of pipe."

"The southernmost inlet located in the center of Main Street discharges stormwater into approximately 220 feet of 15-inch diameter corrugated steel pipe along 2nd street. Three additional circular grate inlets discharge stormwater into this stretch of pipe located approximately 38, 99, 174, downstream from the Main Street inlet. Stormwater is then routed through drainage ditches located along 2nd Street and Michigan Avenue, and discharged onto a field located southeast of town. A 3-foot diameter corrugated steel pipe with a headage on the discharge side conveys stormwater under 5th street and onto the field."

"The existing stormwater pipes are undersized, severely corroded, plugged with sediment and likely have portions that are collapsed. The covered ditch has almost completely collapsed. Floodwaters draining into inlets in the center of Main Street are deteriorating the road. The diminished functionality of the system has resulted in frequent flooding across Main Street and associated impacts to area businesses and residents. Water collects in the middle of the street, which results in ice and water build-up around the drains and leads to water and ice flowing onto the parking area, sidewalks and businesses that front onto Main Street. Businesses fronting the north side of the street have been particularly impacted, including City Hall, the Post Office, and the local grocery store who have all experienced water flows under their front doors. Water flows, which in cold weather lead to ice, is a concern for the public accessing the impacted businesses, as well as damage to doors, door jams, and sidewalks from the freeze-thaw process. In addition, the unmanaged stormwater results in sheet-flowing of water carrying debris including sediment, oil, chemicals, pesticides, and other debris from the impervious surfaces in the town. Unmanaged stormwater impacts the area watershed, including Big Sandy Creek which is a tributary to the Milk River."

"Additionally, the current condition of Main Street is so severe that it does not effectively channel the sheet flow of water to the inlets."

"Install approximately 550 and 270 feet of new 18-inch diameter RCP storm drain trunk mains along 1st and 2nd street, respectively. These two trunk lines would replace existing pipe and discharge into existing ditches. In addition, approximately 662 feet of new trunk main would be installed along Main Street between U.S. 87 and 4th street."

"Main Street's cross-section would remain an inverted crown and continue to slope to the center of the street. Since the condition of the existing streets does not effectively channel the sheet flow of water to the inlets, this alternative will include repaving of Main Street, from highway 87 to 3rd street, to direct flow to the inlets. A 6-foot-wide concrete median barrier with curb and gutter and additional inlets and laterals to the new trunk main would be installed to facilitate drainage. Drop inlets would be installed along the median curb and gutter at the intersection of 1st and Main, halfway between 1st and 2nd street, and at the intersections of 2nd and Main and 3rd and Main. All existing inlets would be replaced and include sediment catch basins. Discharge into drainage ditches would occur at the same locations."

The total cost of the project is $1,102,758. Funds for the project come from a variety of places, including the local and county ARPA dollars. We will also receive funds from the Montana Coal Endowment Program, Renewable Resource Grant, and the town of Big Sandy has some funds allocated for the purpose. It's an incredible project that will be paid for without raises taxes.