Small Town News

Tower marks hospital progress

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The water tower just northwest of the US 281-- SH 71 intersection is closer to completion as workers are preparing to lift the bowl next week that will hold up to a million gallons of drinking water for the future Lake of the Hills Regional Medical Center and Marble Falls communities nearby.

In March 2009, the City of Marble Falls began implementing $8.8 million worth of water and wastewater lines from the US 281 bridge above Lake Marble Falls to the water tower site.

The line extension project is scheduled for completion in June, a month before the water tower is expected to go into operation. The water and wastewater lines stretch roughly 5.5 miles, said Ralph Hendricks, Marble Falls city manager, while visiting the site Monday.

The City of Marble Falls committed to provide the water and wastewater infrastructure necessary for a major hospital in 2007.

Two weeks ago, Scott & White Healthcare terminated its contract with Crossroads Medical Campus, where the hospital was to be located, citing the landowner's inability to provide developments on the property in a timely manner.

Rhona Williams London, director of public/media relations for Scott 8s White, said Monday that numerous prospects are now being considered for a new hospital location.

Scott & White is committed to finding a new location for LoHRMC that fully utilizes the infrastructure being constructed by the City of Marble Falls.

Though the water tower is designed to hold a million gallons of water, it will be filled "as the need arises," Hendricks said.

"We're preparing for the future with the water tower and waterlines," he said.

Fort Worth-based Landmark Structures has been working on the water tower since July. Mike Gore, job superintendent with Landmark, said next Thursday's bowl lift will require 20 cables, each with a 30-ton capacity, and a 400-ton crane.

"It will probably take about five hours to lift," Gore said.

The water tower is one of the tallest Landmark has ever constructed, standing 242 feet tall, Gore said. The steel tank weighs 86 tons, stands 39 feet tall and is 74 feet in diameter.



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© 2010 Burnet Bulletin Burnet, Texas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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