The WMU Board of Commissioners approved the first payment for the $1.2 million Hampton Manor sewer line project Thursday.

 WMU General Manager Mike Flynn said contractors have already begun boring under Bypass Road for the installation of new lines.

“Pipe work is expected to begin Monday,” Flynn said. “They’ve got pipe and manholes on site. Now the hard work begins.”

The project is expected to take about a year to complete and will install 3,500 feet of new sewer line, ranging from eight to 24 inches in diameter.

The project is part of WMU’s consent decree with the Kentucky Division of Water, which was signed in 2007. The decree identified 27 sanitary sewer overflow locations which must be repaired. The Hampton Manor project will resolve two more, leaving six outstanding. Deadlines to complete those range from 2021 to 2025.

The Hampton Manor project will generally run from the intersection of Bypass and Boonesboro roads and north along Willowbrook Road, Windridge Drive, Mockingbird Valley Road and end at Bonnie Brook Lane.

The Winchester Board of Commissioners approved a $1.4 million loan from the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority in March for the project.

The contract for the project was signed for $1.25 million. The payment approved Thursday was for $163,485.36.