U.S. 41 sewer project gets SPLOST funding


              In this 2013 photo provided by the University of Puget Sound, Kathryn Ginsberg collects wastewater that will be tested for trace levels of pharmaceutical drugs from a sewer near Tacoma, Wash. The federal government is chipping in money for a three-year pilot study using sewage samples to determine levels of marijuana use in two Washington cities — research that could help answer some key questions about pot legalization, the University of Puget Sound announced Monday, June 22, 2015. (Ross Mulhausen/University of Puget Sound via AP)
In this 2013 photo provided by the University of Puget Sound, Kathryn Ginsberg collects wastewater that will be tested for trace levels of pharmaceutical drugs from a sewer near Tacoma, Wash. The federal government is chipping in money for a three-year pilot study using sewage samples to determine levels of marijuana use in two Washington cities — research that could help answer some key questions about pot legalization, the University of Puget Sound announced Monday, June 22, 2015. (Ross Mulhausen/University of Puget Sound via AP)

Fort Oglethorpe has finally secured funding for the second phase of its sewer project along U.S. Highway 41.

Last week, Catoosa County commissioners voted 4-1 to designate the work planned for the highway as a West Chickamauga Creek Sewer Basin project, making it eligible for funding from the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax.

Chairman Steven Henry cast the opposing vote.

Currently, there is $2.9 million in 2014 SPLOST money available for projects in the West Chickamauga Creek Sewer Basin, county records show. The approval will enable Fort Oglethorpe to use up to $1.4 million of those dollars on Highway 41's sewer lines.

The green light will not interfere with any other city's sewer projects or funding, commissioners were quick to add. Both Fort Oglethorpe and Ringgold have an allocated amount to use on county-approved projects in their respective basins.

"The money is there, [Fort Oglethorpe is] just asking to use it on this specific project," said County Attorney Chad Young.

The $1.4 million is expected to cover phase two of the city's four-phase project, the first phase of which is about 95 percent constructed and about a month out from completion, said Commissioner Jeff Long.

Phase two of the construction will pick up where phase one left off and go north along Scruggs Road towards Highway 41. Once funded, phases three and four will loop the construction back to Cloud Springs Road, traveling south along the highway.

Commissioners also approved a SPLOST expenditure of $301,000 for Catoosa County Sheriff's Office, allowing the department to purchase 10 new vehicles from Mountain View Chrysler Dodge of Ringgold. The Dodge Chargers are expected to cost $22,250 each, records show.

The department will also purchase camera systems, computer consoles and other associated equipment to be installed in the vehicles for about $78,500.

The Sheriff's Office has $1.2 million allocated for vehicles in SPLOST funding.

"What we did on the sewer is basically the same thing that we did for the sheriff's department," Long said. "It's just a housekeeping thing."

Email Myron Madden at mmadden@timesfreepress.com.

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