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Local Businesses Thanked for Work in Pueblo County
The Southern Delivery System (SDS) kicked off construction of the Juniper water pump station at Lake Pueblo State Park and the last remaining section of pipe to be installed in Pueblo County at a “brick laying” ceremony yesterday. Area businesses that have performed work or provided materials to build the SDS components in Pueblo County were thanked for their contribution to the project.
“SDS has been a welcome boost to the local economy during unstable times for the construction industry,” said John Bowen, President of ASI Constructors, Inc., the Pueblo West-based firm that constructed the SDS connection to Pueblo Dam.
The three raw-water pump stations needed to transport water through SDS are some of the largest components of the project and will continue to provide economic opportunities for local businesses. Construction of the three pump stations will cost $76.5 million with about one-third of that benefitting Colorado companies. Archer Western Construction, LLC, the prime contractor for the three pump stations, is partnering with local subcontractors and individuals to build the facilities.
The brick laying ceremony at the event led by Colorado Springs Utilities CEO Jerry Forte and Colorado Springs City Council President Keith King symbolized the hard work and dedication it has taken to move the project forward. SDS is one of the largest water projects to be built in Colorado in decades.
“We are building this project worker by worker, business by business, partner by partner, and brick by brick to build something that serves generations to come,” said Forte.
Summit Brick Company, a Pueblo County-based company, is supplying the 50,000 bricks it will take to build the facade of Juniper Pump Station at Lake Pueblo State Park. Summit Brick President Joe Welte shared his company’s history since its founding in 1902 and the benefit SDS will have for their local brick manufacturing plant.
Garney Construction is installing a 0.3-mile, 90-inch-diameter pipeline that will link Pueblo Dam to the Pueblo West Metropolitan District and other project partners. After Colorado Springs, Pueblo West is the second leading beneficiary of the SDS project.
SDS Work in Pueblo West Receives Award
Engineering News-Record (ENR) has awarded SDS with its “2013 Best Project” award in the water/environment category for the Mountain States region. ENR is a weekly magazine providing construction news and analysis for the construction industry worldwide. SDS team members were in Denver today to receive the award.
The award-winning project was the 6.4-mile South Pipeline 2 (S2) project through Pueblo West, completed in 2012. One of the most complex phases of pipeline construction, the S2 project involved trenching and laying 66-inch welded steel pipe through a residential community.
“We are honored that a prestigious international engineering magazine would recognize the hard work and dedication of the SDS team for the work done in Pueblo West,” said John Fredell, SDS Program Director. “Our top priorities were to do this work safely and with the least disruption to residents. This is a great tribute to the team to be recognized for accomplishing both goals.”
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