A major sewer infrastructure improvement project is underway in Tom Bean after the city secured a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to replace aging sewer lines in some of the community’s oldest neighborhoods.
The project focuses on replacing deteriorating clay sewer lines installed during the 1950s and 1960s with modern piping designed to improve reliability and wastewater flow.
City Secretary Sarah Dusenberry said the grant required only a $10,000 local match from the city.
“It’s a pretty good deal,” Dusenberry said.
Construction is being performed by Sherman-based Hayes Construction, whose bid came in below the project’s budget. The savings allowed the city to expand the scope of work beyond the original plans.
“We were able to stretch our dollars a little bit more and upgrade more of the sewer system than we originally anticipated,” Dusenberry said.
In addition to replacing the aging sewer lines, crews are installing larger pipe where feasible to improve capacity and are replacing several manhole covers along the route.
The expanded project now includes improvements on both sides of State Highway 11. While sewer line replacement is taking place in the older sections of town, work north of the highway primarily involves replacing manhole covers.
The city applied for the USDA funding in 2023, and the grant was awarded in August 2024. Dusenberry said the project has been in development for several years.
Hayes Construction has previously completed several projects for the city, including upgrades to one of Tom Bean’s lift stations earlier this year.
“We’ve always been really pleased with them,” Dusenberry said. “They’re a pleasure to work with.”
City officials expect construction to be completed before the end of July.
“We should actually be done within the next two weeks,” said public works director Jarrett Tate. “The whole process has been great. This is a generous grant for such a small town and we are trying to maximize every dollar.”
Tate said currently 2,600 linear feet of pipe will be replaced, and they hope to stretch resources enough to include another 600-700 feet with that.
They have replaced six existing manholes and added four new ones with hopes of an additional two more added after that.
Beyond replacing aging infrastructure, projects like the sewer upgrade also provide opportunities for city crews to better document underground utilities.
Tom Bean has faced additional challenges in maintaining accurate infrastructure records after City Hall was destroyed by fire in 2003. Although some documents stored in a fireproof safe were preserved, many utility maps were lost.
“The guys have done a really good job of piecing that together over the years,” Dusenberry said. “But there’s lines in this town that we don’t know about.”
As crews excavate and replace infrastructure, city officials can improve records of the underground utility system, helping guide future maintenance and capital improvement projects.
