Englewood targets fall 2027 for delayed City Ditch Reach 2

A future Water and Sewer Board agenda proposes up to $402,580 for a BNSF permit tied to Reach 2A, while no final votes or permits have been supplied.

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A presentation slide during an Englewood Water and Sewer Board meeting outlines temporary construction easements connected to City Ditch Reach 2A, including areas near St. Mary’s and the Littleton Cemetery Association.
Englewood Water and Sewer Board meeting video

Englewood is targeting fall 2027 to complete City Ditch Reach 2, with utilities staff citing design challenges and coordination with Littleton over stormwater near Lynn Hart Lake.

The revised schedule emerged during a July 27 City Council study session. Utilities staff told council the City Ditch program is budgeted at about $16 million for design and construction across four reaches. Reaches 1, 3 and 4 are complete. A council member characterized the new target as about two years behind the prior schedule, but the record does not identify that earlier date.

Staff divided Reach 2 into two phases. Reach 2A is under contract, with construction expected to begin after the 2026 irrigation season. Reach 2B, the smaller section around Lynn Hart Lake, is being redesigned to address Littleton’s stormwater flows and determine whether work should go around or through the pond.

A Water and Sewer Board agenda for Aug. 11 proposes up to $402,580 for a temporary BNSF occupancy permit tied to Reach 2A. The amount includes a $335,483 permit payment and a 20% contingency of $67,097, funded from the Water Fund’s Raw Water Supply System account. The agenda says Reach 2A was planned for fall 2026 construction and Reach 2B for fall 2027.

The agenda lists City Council consideration of the BNSF agreement for Aug. 17 and Sept. 21. As of Aug. 9, the supplied record contains no Water and Sewer Board or City Council vote, adopted action or executed BNSF permit.

The agenda separately proposes a $300,000 increase in staff-managed contingency for Phase 2 improvements at the Allen Water Treatment Plant. Combined with a proposed $500,000 repair contract, the project’s proposed total authorization would reach $6,166,867.60. The contingency would be split between the Water Fund and Sewer Fund, with $210,000 and $90,000, respectively. No final action was supplied for that proposal.

The record does not establish a Reach 2-only cost, a revised total City Ditch price or a rate increase.