Peru storm sewer seperation project on hold after contractor pulls out

You won’t see any crews working on a large storm sewer separation project in Peru today or tomorrow.  Work on the job came to a halt late last week because the contractor, T-J Lambrecht, pulled out.

The work began last year after being approved for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding.  Peru Mayor Scott Harl says they had been paying the contractor as they received payments from the state, but a summer shutdown in Springfield slowed down payments by 30 days.  Harl says a check was given to the contractor last Wednesday, leaving him surprised that Lambrecht still pulled out a day later.

Harl says a date to meet with the contractor has yet to be scheduled.  In the meantime, city officials are looking to borrow the money it would take to pay for the rest of the contract.

Harl stresses that the city had been paying their bills.  He’s holding another town hall meeting next Tuesday to talk about a proposed sales tax increase.