Tyndall repairs sewer line Published Sept. 14, 2012 By 2nd Lt. Andrea Valencia 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Ohopaki General Contracting & Mechanical, Inc., an Oklahoma-based company, working from a satellite office in Navarre, Fla., was awarded a $152,000 contract to work on one of Tyndall's sewer lines. The project, which involves replacing 1,500 feet of sewer line along side Jackson Avenue, is being conducted where a previous sewer line had become eroded over the years. Base personnel became aware of the problem with the discovery of a sunken manhole. The pipeline previously served a section of base housing now demolished, but still services Tyndall Elementary and Shoal Point base housing. The contract was awarded in July and construction began shortly after Aug. 7. The project is scheduled to be completed Oct. 12. In an effort to boost the local economy, Ohpaki subcontracted three companies from the local area, which in turn created 20 new job openings in the local community. "We try to do most of it in house with some subcontracting," said Doug Herzog, Ohopaki project manager. "We prefer to get people from the local area." "Most of the workers here live in either Gulf or Bay County," said Andrew Rowell, GAC Contractors and local project manager. Local companies are also supplying the materials, such as concrete and pipe, for the project, which also adds to the economic development of the Panhandle.