Cambridge Moves Forward on Rebuilding Trenton Street Pumping Station

The City of Cambridge took a significant step toward upgrading its wastewater infrastructure on Friday by opening the bidding process for the Trenton Street Sewage Pumping Station Rehabilitation. 

The project addresses the city’s aging primary pump station, which carries much of the city’s wastewater flow to the treatment plant and has been operating past its expected lifespan.

The sealed bids are due on December 12.  A pre-bid meeting for contractors is scheduled for November 20 in the City Council chambers, followed by a site visit.

The work will involve construction of a new precast, post-tensioned wet well on the existing station site, installation of new pumps, mechanical piping and yard piping, modifications to existing vault structures and the influent screen, a new wet-well canopy, an overhead traveling bridge crane, an odor-control system, and all associated electrical and site improvements.  

City Manager Glenn Steckman said the project has been on the city’s agenda for some time. “The Trenton Street Pump Station is a project that’s been talked about for more than a few years,” he said. “This is among several long-delayed projects we need to get moving.” 

He noted that the station serves critical areas in Cambridge and that if it failed, the city would need more costly, less efficient backup measures. “If we can’t pump from that station — and a lot of our areas of Cambridge go through that pump station — we can’t get the waste to the wastewater treatment plant,” he said. “That would add cost, it’s not as environmentally good, and there are more chances for [other] pumps breaking down.”

Steckman said the station is 93 years old.  “We have certainly gotten the life out of it, plus,” he said.

Funding for the project will come through the Maryland Department of the Environment’s State Revolving Loan Fund, which supports local water and wastewater system upgrades. 

The station is responsible for transporting thousands of gallons of wastewater from homes and businesses every day, forming the backbone of the city’s sanitation system. With modern regulatory, environmental, and operational demands, Steckman says the upgrade is another step toward aligning infrastructure with current needs.

For residents, the project when completed will mean fewer concerns about breakdowns or the added cost and environmental impact of emergency fixes. 

“This rehabilitation is an important step toward ensuring reliable service and protecting our waterways,” Steckman said. “It’s my number-one project for the benefit of the community, but also for the benefit of the environment.”

Once bids are reviewed, the City Commissioners will award the contract, though they retain the right to reject any or all proposals. Work is expected to follow soon after contract award, providing a much-needed upgrade to the city’s wastewater system.