Benton Utilities is excited to announce the completion of two sewer improvement projects. One involves the replacement of more than 2030 feet of old, deteriorated sewer pipe on the north side of McNeil Creek with 1007 feet of new 12-inch, PVC line. Thirteen aged manholes were also replaced with seven new ones with a corrosion resistant additive. One of the most important benefits of this project is the removal of 4 aerial crossings over McNeil Creek. This work was done along the creek behind Dyer Circle and Narroway Street. It is not only a tremendous improvement of the infrastructure and its reliability into the future, but it has greatly benefitted the natural environment of this stream for which we take great pride.

A second, and very important project, is the extension of a new 12-inch gravity sewer main from behind the Pilot Travel Center off Alcoa Road some 1350 feet to the Hurricane Lake Main Lift Station. This sewer main actually begins on the south side of I-30 and services such businesses as Best Buy and Chili’s Restaurant before it crosses underneath the Interstate to pick up many others on the north side. This new main will serve the new Kroger Store, Academy Sports, and other retail shops and businesses that make up the Village Shopping Center at Hurricane Lake. It will also provide sewer availability to both existing and future customers on the north side of Highway 5 as it passes to the said pump station. An important side benefit is the termination of the old lift station and force main that the new gravity sewer replaces. This will save thousands of dollars annually in station operating costs and eliminate the possibility of mechanical failure of equipment that is now offline.

Timing was everything. Not only is this project completed for accommodating the big store openings and growth otherwise in this area, but the line crossing at Highway 5 was done in a critical window of time. This state highway will soon be widened in this area to 4 lanes. Benton Utilities was able to work with the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department to receive 100% reimbursement for extending the encasement of this sewer line an additional 84 feet before this widening project gets underway. This will save a lot of money for both the state and Benton Utilities by not having to address this issue later after the sewer line was laid and in service.

Benton Utilities is proud to make these important project announcements. It is our goal to serve the customers and residents of Benton with respect, courtesy, equity and with high standards of excellence.