Intertie Project News

The project consists of appzroximately 11,000 feet of transmission and distribution mainline, a new 250,000 gallon water reservoir to replace the existing 20,000 gallon reservoir serving the Columbia Crest area, two booster pump stations and a new control system for the entire district.

When notification was received that the district would be awarded the loan funds of $1.4 million, final planning and engineering design work could proceed. The PUD’s Board of Directors elected to utilize its long time Engineer of Record, Tenneson Engineering to help it complete the planning, design, bidding and construction process. The PUD and Tenneson have enjoyed a long working history. Tenneson’s first project for the then Chenowith Irrigation Cooperative was in the early 1950’s.

The project lies almost completely outside of The Dalles City Limits and Urban Growth Boundary and within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. This required a Conditional Use Permit and Site Plan Review process administered by the Wasco County Planning Department. Among the required items for the review were an archeological investigation, an environmental review and analysis of the visual impacts of the proposed reservoir. The reservoir supplier worked closely with the PUD to develop a color and finish meeting the Scenic Area standards. A Notice of Decision granting project approval was issued in August of 2005 and the project started final engineering design.

In March 2006 Wasco County Public Works Department approached the PUD to participate in a portion of the project. The County has been working on development of a Storm Sewer System in the Murray’s Addition Area. The Intertie project provided them a construction opportunity for the portion of the system lying in Chenowith Road and Starlight Drive. The PUD Board of Directors felt that this was an excellent opportunity to work together with another governmental agency to provide cost savings to residents and minimize construction disturbance in the neighborhood. An intergovernmental agreement was crafted and additions to the design drawings started. Finally 18 months after the planning decision the construction drawings were complete and all government agency approvals obtained.

Solicitation for construction bids was published was published in March and bids opened on April 3. The bids received were slightly above estimates and available funding. The engineer and district manager went to work to obtain additional funding. OECDD agreed to an additional $200,000. The Mid Columbia Economic Development District working through the Oregon Investment Board with Columbia River Gorge Commission approval agreed to a loan of $150,000.

These additional funds provided full coverage of the project and possible contingencies. With funding in place the contract was awarded to Crestline Construction of The Dalles who was low bidder. Construction planning was put into place and equipment mobilized to the job site at the Kingsley reservoir. The first waterline trench was started on May 30th. The project schedule calls for completion in October.

Questions related to the project can be directed to Project Engineer Ben Beseda at Tenneson Engineering, 296-9177 or PUD Manager Sherlene Bowen, 296-5363. The PUD and Wasco County appreciate your patience and understanding for any delays incurred due to construction.