Fort Smith, Ark. – Construction is underway on a major sanitary sewer improvement project in Fort Smith as part of the city’s ongoing efforts to comply with a federal Consent Decree and improve wastewater infrastructure.
According to the City of Fort Smith, construction on Project 17-09-C1, known as the 2016 SSA Remedial Measures Sub-Basin P005 project, began on April 13, 2026.
The project includes the replacement and rehabilitation of approximately 12,782 linear feet of 8-inch and 10-inch sanitary sewer lines.
The work will utilize a combination of open-cut construction, pipe bursting, and cured-in-place pipelining methods to address defects within the sewer system. In addition, approximately 36 manholes are scheduled to be repaired, replaced, or rehabilitated as part of the project.
The project was designed by Halff Associates, Inc., while Inliner Solutions, LLC is serving as the construction contractor.
City officials estimate the project will cost approximately $5.3 million and is expected to be completed by Jan. 1, 2027.
As of April 30, 2026, crews had rehabilitated 2,120 linear feet of 8-inch pipe using the pipe bursting method, repaired 52 cleanouts, and replaced two manholes. The city reported that $465,080.10 had been spent on the project at that time.
The sewer improvements are part of Fort Smith’s broader infrastructure program aimed at reducing sewer system deficiencies and improving the reliability of wastewater services throughout the community.