Northwest Pipe Company in Denver recently manufactured the last piece of more than 7,000 pipes that will be used to transport water for the Southern Delivery System (SDS) project. Manufacturing 50 miles of 66-inch steel pipe began three years ago. For Northwest Pipe Company, that work could not have come at a better time.

The SDS team joined the staff of Northwest Pipe and Colorado Senator Bernie Herpin in Denver last week to celebrate the conclusion of the pipe manufacturing and thank workers for their dedication to the project.  The Denver Post, Denver Business Journal and 9News reported on this key milestone. See video on the last piece of pipe produced for SDS.

“When SDS pipe production began in the spring of 2011, we had 116 full-time employees at this Denver facility,” said Eric Stokes, VP of Sales for Northwest Pipe Company.  “During peak production our employment numbers grew to 231 employees at this facility. The result was more than $23 million in payroll and an 100% increase in employment at this facility.”

“In addition to SDS being a key way Colorado Springs and other southern Colorado communities will meet their water needs, it’s providing an immediate economic boost to the local economy,” said John Fredell, SDS Program Director.  To date, nearly $359 million has gone to 333 Colorado businesses for SDS planning and construction. 

“Over the last three years, the sight of blue pipe on semi-trucks heading south meant jobs for local businesses and a more secure water future for Colorado Springs and its partners’ communities,” Fredell said.

2014 is the peak construction year for SDS.  By the end of 2014, the project will be 75% complete.