JACKSON – After many years in the making, Northampton County’s Phase V water improvements are moving ahead.

Last week, the Northampton County Board of Commissioners approved the Public Works Department to proceed with accepting bids for the project.

The $5.84 million water improvements are funded by a United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development grant of $971,000 and a loan of $4,871,000.

“This has been brought to you a couple of times in the past—in 2010 and 2011,” said Jason Morris, Northampton Public Works Director. “Due to the rise in the cost of construction that was previously shown in the engineering reports, all sites had to be revisited.”

Morris added the suggested improvements were selected by critical need, the hydraulics of the water system and the cost per user for the new water mains. The suggested improvements are within the approved budget.

The improvements include:

-The Squire Booster Pump.

-Hickory Hollow Booster Pump.

-Modification to the existing Pea Hill pressure reducing valve.

-W.J. Duke Road from Rehoboth to Bryantown Road.; and Cumbo Road at the intersection of W.J. Duke Road to Cumbo Church Road.

-Indian Branch Road to Ashley Grove Road to Perdue Hatchery and Parker Road to U.S. 158.

-Big John’s Store Road from Cornwallis to Bethel Church Road; Bethel Church Road to Conwell Road; Hickory Tree Road from Big John to Cornwallis Road; and Highway 301 from Reid Road to Serenity Place.

-Oak Grove Church Road to Cherry Tree Road; Cherry Tree Road cannot be served without serving Oak Grove.

-From Highway 35 onto Deloatch Mill Road to bridge.

-Jordan Mill back to Higway 186.

-From Lasker Golf Course Road onto Collier Road to intersection of Pin Hook Road.

-Mt. Carmel Road.

-New radio read meters countywide.

The project will include 31 miles of new water mains to the existing system and serve approximately 227 potential new customers.

The improvements were improved by a voter referendum in July 2004 and the funds were obligated by USDA.

County Manager Wayne Jenkins said the referendum was for seven years. Meanwhile, the county hit some rough spots with its enterprise fund generating revenue and the commissioners passed a resolution that they would incur debt until the revenue stream was steady.

A three year extension of its General Obligation Board Authorization by the Local Government Commission expires July 2014.