Smith Mountain Lake Water Treatmen Plan Could be Stalled

The Smith Mountain Lake Water Treatment Plant project could be stalled due to the lack of final cost information. The Bedford Regional Water Authority had hoped to have a guaranteed maximum price by July, but local businesses could not provide “competitive and aggressive” bids leaving the project at only about 60 percent complete. So last week, the board agreed to hold off on applying for a Virginia Resources Authority loan until the final price is known. The News & Advance reports, construction has not yet been delayed past the expected start date of summer 2015; the treatment plant, and subsequent lines to Bedford and Forest will to take at least 18 months.