Jim Thorpe Borough Council last week awarded a $459,232 construction contract to Doli Construction Corporation for a water main replacement in area of the downtown.

Around 1,350 feet of water main will be replaced from 127 High St. to where the road intersects with West Broadway.

The project will be funded in large part by federal American Rescue Plan money, distributed to municipalities for water and sanitary sewer projects.

“The borough received almost $488,000 in American Rescue Act funds,” Council President Greg Strubinger said. “The total project cost for High Street project is $504,532, so the borough will be using multimodal transportation grant funds that were moved into our capital projects fund to cover the remaining $17,000.”

Council also approved a work order from Entech Engineering for $45,300 covering engineering work associated with the project.

“We’re basically getting a new water line for around $17,000 plus any change orders that come in so I think that’s a really good deal,” Councilman Mike Yeastedt said regarding the project.

Doli was one of four companies to bid on the project. Jim Thorpe Public Services Manager Vince Yaich said the company sent information on about 20 municipalities it has worked with in the past and recommendations came back positive.

There is also a chance, Yaich said, to see a project cost reduction based on field observation hours.

“The current contract includes costs for someone from Entech to be a field observer for the entire project (estimated to be about six weeks including testing of the installed main), but we don’t think that will be necessary,” Yaich said. “Where Entech would come into play is down at the lower end where the main has to cross over the creek arch. I want to make sure the creek arch doesn’t get compromised. That’s where I would feel more comfortable with a structural engineer watching that.”

Around 17 water service connections will be replaced as part of the project.