By 1808Delaware
As Sunbury continues to experience steady growth and development, the Engineering Department is keeping pace with a slate of major infrastructure and planning initiatives that promise to shape the city’s future. The latest City Engineer’s Report, prepared by Carla Odebralski, P.E., offers a behind-the-scenes look at the projects and priorities provided at Wednesday night’s City Council meeting.
Here’s a closer look at what’s on the horizon:
A New Chapter at Cheshire and 36/37
The Planning Division is closely monitoring progress at the corner of Cheshire Road and State Route 36/37, where the Kintner Commercial Development is taking shape. One of the most eye-catching components is a proposed gas station, which recently received conditional use approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission.
While no Council action is required yet, city staff will soon sit down with the developer and their design team to iron out critical public improvement details. Chief among them? A potential realignment of Cheshire Road—an ambitious move that could enhance traffic flow and accessibility in this fast-developing corridor.
Wastewater Plant Poised for Major Expansion
Big changes are coming to Sunbury’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. With a construction contract now in hand, the city is preparing for a preconstruction meeting later this month to finalize the project timeline. This long-anticipated expansion will improve capacity and ensure that Sunbury can meet the demands of a growing population.
No formal action is required by Council this week, but the groundwork is being laid for significant improvements in the city’s wastewater infrastructure.
Lift Station Gets an Upgrade
Closer to Council chambers, a decision looms on the Cheshire Road Lift Station. City staff are recommending that Council award the construction contract to Righter Company, the low bidder on a project that includes replacing aging dual pumps and upgrading the control panel.
The improvements are designed to serve anticipated growth in the surrounding area, and while this phase is focused on the station itself, additional work is planned. The City is coordinating with Fee Corp to clean and televise the pipe along Cheshire Ditch—a step that will provide crucial insight into long-term system capacity. That work is expected to take three to four days.
Council is expected to hold the first reading of the contract award at Wednesday’s meeting.
Downtown Parking Set for a Boost
In a move to breathe new life into downtown Sunbury, the design team is putting the finishing touches on plans for the 2025 Street Improvement Program (SIP), which will include upgrades to the Columbus Street parking lot. By bundling the lot with the broader SIP bid, the city hopes to attract more contractor interest—and better pricing.
Design plans are expected to be bid-ready by the end of April, with Council action on construction tentatively slated for May.
More Than Asphalt and Pumps
Beyond concrete and cables, the Engineer’s Office is also looking at long-term policy updates. A recent Services Committee discussion covered new fiber right-of-way guidelines, traffic signal modernization, and a potential partnership with the Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District. That last item could pave the way for improved stormwater management inspections—a critical piece of sustainable development in a growing city.
Source: City of Sunbury
