JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
After several weeks of inactivity, work has resumed on a construction project in downtown Jackson to lay a 48-inch water pipeline.
The line begins at the Reservoir and goes underneath Jefferson Street near WLBT.
WLBT first reported the work was halted because diesel fuel was discovered running into the huge trench being dug down the middle of Jefferson Street to bury the pipeline.
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality is still trying to find the source of the diesel fuel.
But, the company doing the work, Hemphill Construction of Florence, has found a way to seal the water line so no petroleum product can leak into it.
"Work has resumed because of contractors have found a new gasket they can employ to prevent degradation from any petroleum products that maybe in the ground, so they are confident we can continue this project and we are hopefully going to finish it by the end of March," said Chris Mims, Public Relations Director, City of Jackson. "MDEQ is doing an investigation to try and find the source of that diesel that was in the ground, but we are confident that we can move ahead with the project at this point."
It is estimated the pipeline will be complete to Silas Brown Street in front of WLBT by the end of March.
It will then go over to Commerce Street and down the old Gulf, Mobile and Ohio Railroad right of way to south Jackson.
Copyright 2012 WLBT. All rights reserved.
Also on WLBT.com:
Project delay on Jefferson Street
WLBT 3 - Fox 40
