ORIGINAL POST
After conducting surveys of the area, the City, with the assistance of Communities Unlimited, submitted a pre-application to ADEM for the estimated $16-million-plus project to address drainage and gravity sewer in the areas of West and East Strain roads. This was submitted in May 2024.
As of December 2024, ADEM has verbally committed ARPA funding for preliminary design work, and the Athens City Council has approved an agreement with Krebs Engineering for preliminary engineering services.
ADEM has reported the City should hear in January 2025 about whether it is approved to proceed with a full application for the project.
Here is an overview of the proposed project and phases:
PROJECT UPDATE - MAY 23, 2025
The Alabama Department of Environmental Management notified the City of Athens its pre-application for funding to address drainage and sewer issues on West and East Strain roads is finally approved for funding.
Communities Unlimited submitted the pre-application last year on May 30, 2024. Communities Unlimited partners with EPA and was referred to the City of Athens by EPA.
District 3 Councilman James Lucas said he is eager to start the project. Lucas helped conduct surveys in late 2023 to gage the interest from residents in changing from septic tanks to sanitary sewer and to gather information about drainage issues.
Like other older areas of Athens, portions of West and East Strain roads developed prior to city ordinances related to street width, drainage and requiring access to city sewer, if available.
ADEM sent notification to Mayor Ronnie Marks that the City of Athens will have access to $3,893,773 from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and that it will be principal forgiveness and treated like a grant. ADEM sent a second notification that said the City of Athens will have access to $500,000 also from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, from its regular annual funding. This will be principal forgiveness and treated like a grant.
At its May 19 meeting, the Athens City Council authorized Marks to sign ADEM agreements for the funding.
In addition, ADEM has allocated $123,844.62 in APRA money to fund survey and design work. The total amount of ADEM funding will be $4,517,617.62.
The City of Athens will be responsible for remaining costs.
- Drainage work is estimated to cost nearly $2.5 million.
- Sanitary sewer work is estimated to cost over $8.5 million. Repaving of streets is built into this plan.
Estimates could change if survey and design work find unknown issues. Surveying work will start the week of May 26, and residents will see surveyors on both sides of Strain Road.
City crews from Public Works have opted to do some of the drainage work in-house to lower the cost from preliminary engineering estimates of up to $16 million.
Drainage improvements include culvert replacements. Sanitary sewer improvements include a pump station, force main and gravity sewer to provide sewer connections to residents in the West and East Strain roads area.
Survey Work Starting Week of June 9
Morell Engineering will start survey work the week of June 9 for the preliminary portion of the Strain Road Community Improvements Project – Phase 1.
This survey will support the development of the official design and preparation of the easement and property descriptions for the City.
PROJECT UPDATE AUG. 20, 2025
Working with utilities on utility pole relocations and marking water, gas, other utility lines.
Working to get legal descriptions of easements needed to address drainage.
Creating a plan for traffic access at dead end areas that will be impacted by culvert replacements.
Expect to advertise for bids on Phase 1 in November.
PROJECT UPDATE NOV. 4, 2025
As part of ADEM's requirement for funding assistance, a public hearing was held on Nov. 4, 2025, at Athens City Hall.
PROJECT UPDATE APRIL 1, 2026
The City is negotiating with landowners on easements and property needed for the drainage portion. The project design for Phase 1 is at 90 percent completion.