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JACKSON – The Northampton County Commissioners approved agreements at their regular meeting here Monday, April 20 which will allow the relocation of some water and sewer lines to make way for a NCDOT maintenance project.

To observe social distancing guidelines, three of the five commissioners participated in the meeting via telephone call, but the entire Board was in unanimous agreement to approve the proposal.

Northampton County Public Works Director Kirk Rogers presented the information to the Board. He explained that the state Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is planning to replace the bridge over Wildcat Swamp located on NCHS-East Road.

“We have water and sewer lines in the way,” he explained. “The DOT is going to take care of the funding to have the lines moved.”

The project’s total estimated cost is $269,762.60 which will be funded completely by the NCDOT. The agreements approved by the commissioners allowed for Northampton County to receive reimbursements associated with the project.

Rogers reported that they sent a Request for Quotation (RFQ) to seven engineering firms, and Rivers and Associates submitted their information by the deadline. Therefore, Rogers recommended the Commissioners approve the service agreement with that engineering firm to carry out the water main relocation project.

Board Chair Charles Tyner said he didn’t have any problems with the project.

“It’s not costing Northampton County,” he emphasized.

Commissioner Kelvin Edwards asked how long the project would last.

Rogers explained that the bridge replacement project was currently scheduled to begin in June, so the relocation project is expected to be completed before then. He also noted that the bridge on NCHS-East Road would probably be out for approximately six months during the work to replace it.

Edwards motioned to approve the agreements with Rivers and Associates and the NCDOT, and Commissioner Joyce Buffaloe seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor.

Since late 2018, the NCDOT has worked to replace several bridges throughout Northampton County, including ones on Galatia Road, Big Johns Store Road, and Barrows Mill Road.