By Greg Ellison

Board of directors agrees to spend more than $1.2 million for pair of projects

(Feb. 25, 2021) Aiming to improve drainage and to continue annual bulkhead maintenance, the Ocean Pines Board of Directors on Saturday approved spending more than $200,000 to address failing underground piping and just over $1 million for bulkhead repairs.

General Manager John Viola said the pair of public works capital expenditures includes $1,095,000 for Fisher Marine to replace 3,000 liner feet of vinyl bulkhead at $365 per foot.

“This is basically the same request as last year,” he said.

The price quote from Fisher Marine, which was the lowest of three bids solicited, is roughly $502,000 under the sum allotted for bulkhead repairs for Fiscal Year 21-22.

The bulkhead work is slated for Pintail Drive lots 8-50 and Crab Cay Court lots 3-12.

“We’ve been doing similar amounts in past years,” he said.

The board also authorized spending $207,167 for Louisiana-based Pelican Underground to repair failing corrugated metal piping through a trenchless rehabilitation method.

Viola said the cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) process involves inserting linings containing an inflatable epoxy-saturated felt tube that cures within a day.

“The main pipes here that we’re looking at are the ones that cross Ocean Parkway,” he said.

Once the resin cures, it forms a tight, joint-less seal, which has proven both more cost-effective and less disruptive than total pipe replacement.

Director Frank Daly said the $236 per foot price for the CIPP process is a far cry from the roughly $1,000 per foot paid to replace damaged pipe sections previously.

“Is this like a trial run to see if that five-mile-plus of underground infrastructure that we have is suitable for this on a planned basis?” he asked.

Images courtesy Ocean Pines Association
Ocean Pines is exploring the cured in place pipe process to repair rusted and failing corrugated metal pipes similar to the one pictured.

Viola replied that the CIPP method is a proven process that has been used for years in other regions.

“This is coming in well above a 50 percent savings compared to the conventional method we have been using,” he said.

Viola said the first  work would involve lining eight sections of piping measuring between 15-36 inches.

“We want to see how this works,” he said. “It’s well worth it in my mind.”

Viola said if the initial round of repairs goes as, planned additional sections could be proposed later this year.

OPA President Larry Perrone said the both the contractor and product manufacturer stand behind the work.

“We have a one year contractor warranty but a 50-year guarantee on the lining,” he said.

Viola said the useful life for the epoxy liners is rated even higher in many instances.

“The product is designed to last 50 years, if not 100 years,” he said.

Daly said the potential cost savings was welcome news.

“This is some of the better news we’ve heard on drainage for a long time,” he said.

Daly said if the new approach proves successful, which even at the reduced rate would involve large expenditures, the board should consider creating a funding program similar to bulkheads to perform subsequent pipe repairs.

“People have to be aware what we’re facing with that infrastructure,” he said.

The board voted unanimously to approve both capital expenditures for the next fiscal budget year.