Some infrastructure issues were discussed and eventually approved at the regular meeting of the Port Arthur City Council on Tuesday morning.

The council approved a contract between the city and Allco, Inc. for the Bluebonnet Avenue street improvements project. The contract would be decreased by $386,939 for a new amount of $1,820,023. This is the final change order for this project.

This will add sealing of crack joints and reimbursement for material on hand not used on the project.

City Manager Brian McDougal said the money saved will be transferred to other projects.

The contract is between the city and Arceneaux, Wilson and Cole, LLC for professional services for paving design of Bluebonnet Ave. from Gulfway Dr. to Woodworth Blvd. The projected budgetary amount is $63,500.

Keith Richard, District 4 councilman, asked how long did A, W & C do the design work. Armando Guiterrez, public works director, said the firm did the initial design work.

The base will be changed to concrete instead of asphalt.

Joe Wilson with the firm said it will take three months to plan the project so it will be in mint condition and take nine months for construction.

Tiffany Hamilton, District 2 councilwoman, asked if the city will be reimbursed.

Lewis asked how much longer would the concrete base last than the asphalt base. Wilson said the asphalt would last three years versus the concrete that would last 30 years.

It was previously discovered there were base failures the northern and southern portion of Bluebonnet.

The city requested A, W & C to submit a proposal for the redesign.

The council approved a change order between the city and N&T Construction, Inc. of Beaumont for improvements to The Pavilion and Peoples Park downtown.

This increases the contract by $10,537 for a new amount of $844,687. Funding is available in the contingency fund.

Morris Albright III, District 3 councilman, asked if this construction would be completed by Mardi Gras that starts on Feb. 23.

McDougal said there better not be any construction during Mardi Gras.

The city will do a walk-through of The Pavilion on Friday a walk-through of Peoples Park on Feb. 10.

Lastly, the council approved a pipeline permit from the city to Northstar Port Arthur, LLC of the Woodlands for the installation of a 24-inch diesel pipeline within the city limits after holding a public hearing.

The pipeline will originate near Texaco Island Road at the Motiva Dock and terminate at the meter skid near the Port of Port Arthur for one mile.

The Citizen’s Pipeline Advisory Committee met and reviewed the permit application prior to the public hearing and presented their recommendations.

The pipeline will be buried with a five-foot culvert. The pipeline will be 2,700 feet away from the nearest residence.

The pipeline will create 34 new jobs and the workers will work rotating shifts.

Richard said he wanted to encourage local contractors to apply. Hamilton also urged Port Arthur contractors be considered.

Raymond Scott Jr., mayor pro tem, said all of the council is concerned about Port Arthur residents getting jobs.

Lewis asked if a vapor recovery system will be installed. Charles Thompson with Northstar said it’s not required since low sulfur diesel is below the requirement.

David Ball: 409-721-2427