The city of Atmore has received a $450,000 grant to improve sewer lines in the Martin Luther King Avenue area.
The grant is a part of a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant program, administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. The grant was announced by Gov. Robert Bentley’s office Friday.
The city of Atmore will contribute $91,400 toward the sewer improvement project. The project area is bordered by Sinkfield Street to the north, Ashley Street to the south, Martin Luther King Avenue to the east, and Jones Street to the west. The grant money will be used to repair old clay sewer lines in that area.
Atmore Mayor Jim Staff said that the lift station would also be deepened, to prevent the flooding that occasionally took place during strong rains.
“This is an excellent project,” he said. “It should really allow us to repair the last part of our sewer system that was still sometimes giving us problems.”
Staff said there is no specific timetable for how long the project will take, but it could be started in early 2014.
The clay sewer lines in the area have grown brittle and cracked over the years, allowing occasional sewage leaks into some residents’ yards and homes. A new lining will be placed in those pipes, to cover the cracks and reduce the leaks.
The Lottie community, in north Baldwin County, also received a $350,000 grant to extend water service to 37 additional homes. North Baldwin Utilities has committed $392,629 in equipment, labor and engineering services toward the water-line extension that will replace traditional wells.
The city of Robertsdale also received a $450,000 grant for sewer improvements.
Bentley officially informed Staff and other officials of the grants Friday morning.
“This grant program enables local governments to undertake vital projects they might otherwise be unable to complete,” Bentley said. “I am pleased we can assist Robertsdale, Baldwin County and Atmore in improving public services for residents.”