By JIM BUTLER

More than a decade after Pineville’s Huffman Creek pump station failed in the face of Hurricane Gustav’s onslaught, it’s back to the drawing board for its replacement. 

The City Council at its monthly meeting heard consulting engineer Tom David’s update. 

Only one bid was received through the November submission date and it was higher than had been anticipated. 

Estimated cost for the station and outfall improvements was $7.2 million, most of which is from a Louisiana Water Initiatives grant. 

David told the council the station needs more pumping capacity. He recommended reviewing the parameters and again seeking bids.

Unsaid, but apparent, is that the grant life (the time funds must be used or committed before being lost) is not an issue. 

The rejected-bid plans call for demolishing two obsolete pump stations and constructing a station with enlarged pump sump to accommodate two new 50,000 gpm pumps.

Auxiliary power source for the control systems is part of the project specifications.

Water pumped through the station will be routed through two 48-inch channels over the levee, eventually reaching Red River.

The project also includes construction of a 1.2-acre storm water retention pond upstream of Cottingham Expressway near Jones Street.