Sewer line work closes part of Mill Avenue

Mill Avenue between Third Street and and Fig Avenue has been closed to through traffic this week as workmen are installing a new sewer line. A portion of Fourth Street is also closed.

On Sept. 18, the Porterville City Council awarded a $61,250 contract to Visalia-based Todd Companies for the Mill Street Sewer Project.

The project will divert the sewer flow from an existing sewer main that runs through an adjacent main to the First Congregational Church, located on the southeast corner of Mill Avenue and Third Street. The diversion will direct flow west on Mill Avenue to an existing sewer main located in the alley between Fourth and Third streets.

“The reason we’re doing this is because it’s very old. It’s in very bad shape,” said Baldo Rodriguez, city public works director about the existing sewer main. “It also runs underneath a church there and when it overflows it has gone into their basement in the past. We’re remedying that right now.”

The work should be completed by mid-November.