Sewer Extension Project Opens Door for Commercial Development Opportunities

Funding the Project with Public Support

The town of North Andover, situated along the Merrimack River, is home to approximately 32,000 residents. Eligible voters approved the sewer extension project during the June 2020 North Andover Annual Town Meeting, as well as the establishment of a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) agreement with Amazon that provides real estate tax relief in exchange for various community benefits. One such benefit included $2.3 million of funding from Amazon for the sewer extension project, which was supplemented by an additional $2.3 million grant from the MassWorks Infrastructure Program and $2.3 million investment from the town. Residents supported this project in large part due to the additional benefits, which include Amazon investing in traffic calming and mitigation on Route 125, STEM programs for North Andover’s schools, upgrades to the local library and recreation facilities, a tree planting program, furniture and technology for a local senior center, and new equipment for the fire department. Additionally, Amazon projected the creation of more than 1,500 full-time equivalent jobs.

The extension of sewer service is also expected to raise property value and improve economic opportunities in the commercially zoned area. Based on historical evidence, when Amazon locates a facility in an area, it typically attracts additional commerce. North Andover officials expect both commercial and residential buildouts along Route 125 now that public sewer collection is available, which has significant potential to bolster the town’s revenue base. The sewer extension also benefits the town’s new police station, located at 1475 Osgood Street, which relied on an existing septic system that was nearing the end of its useful life expectancy.

Adapting to supply chain issues

North Andover Sewer Extension Site Map

Woodard & Curran’s wastewater experts designed the sewer extension and pump station in two phases to adhere to critical deadlines established by Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s (MassDOT) Route 125 road and intersection reconstruction project and Amazon’s expected facility completion. The first phase consisted of 2,300 feet of force main in the middle of the project area. This phase of construction went to bid in April 2020 and was fast tracked for completion in November 2020 to make way for the road reconstruction project. The second phase consisted of 8,200 feet of force main and 6,200 feet of gravity sewer, as well as a new pump station. This phase of construction went to bid in October 2021 and was completed in December 2023, in time for Amazon’s opening of its new facility.

While Woodard & Curran’s engineering consultants take pride in designing with consideration for many variables, our team could not predict the supply chain issues and rising material costs that occurred because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our collaborative approach with the town and contractors helped mitigate material and equipment delays and maintain cost estimates to ensure the project was delivered on time and on budget.

During the project’s second phase, the contractor proposed a night crew to focus on trench preparation and paving to keep the project on schedule and adhere to additional safety protocols. Woodard & Curran’s design team also fielded recommendations from the contractor when material and equipment delays arose. The bid package for Phase 2 included an alternate for the force main material because of rising costs and supply shortages. This approach allowed the town to select the force main material in the best interests of project budget, which ultimately ended up being ductile iron (DI) force main piping. This avoided potential for different hydraulic properties between Phase 1 and Phase 2 and any impact to pump station equipment. In another instance, the specified pump station control panel was significantly delayed. The contractor offered an alternative unit to adhere to the project schedule, and, although larger than specified, Woodard & Curran accepted the recommended alternative on the town’s behalf. A similar situation occurred with the pump station’s emergency generator fuel tank. The manufacturer offered a smaller alternative, which the design team accepted so as to keep the project moving forward.