It's been a long time since we first reported that a major sewer line separation project would begin in North Belle Vernon.
More than four years to be exact.
But finally, it looks like the project is going to start -- again.
Work on the remaining third of the borough's stormwater and wastewater installation project is expected to resume next month.
It was July 2002 when Borough Council hired an engineering firm to design and supervise a $5.7 million project to install new sanitary sewer lines and convert the existing system to handle stormwater.
Council eventually replaced the firm, claiming the original engineer failed to correct poor soil conditions that led to multiple service line breaks, rendering the system unusable.
After trouble arose, construction was halted and the cost of completing the project continued to increase.
More than four years later, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved a loan to cover the rest of the project.
But another loan came through more quickly, so rather than delay the project again, Council agreed to borrow up to $2.4 million that will ultimately be covered by the federal loan.
"It's about time," Councilman Dennis Simboli said when the borough announced it had secured the money to complete the work. "We've been waiting a long time for this."
We echo his sentiments, adding our sincere hope that this won't turn out to be just another false start.
