Freeland sewers may ride the coattails of President-elect Barack Obama and a Democrat-controlled Congress.

Obama has made infrastructure spending a priority of his incoming administration.

“The three things they’re talking about most are roads, bridges and sewers,” said Chet Ross, president of the Freeland Chamber of Commerce and a prime mover for sewers in the community. “We’re seeing what we can put together for that.”

For years, proponents have been pushing for a sewer system to advance residential and commercial development and the cause of incorporation. The latest attempt stalled when the estimated cost of a sewer system ballooned to $15 million.

Ross said proponents are putting together a grant application for $30 million, which would be enough to accomplish more than four of the five phases of the project, providing sewers to almost every segment included in the Freeland Sub Area Plan.

While sewers aren’t a prerequisite for cityhood, a sewer plan that can be implemented “in a reasonable amount of time” is required.

“Congress is hoping to put an infrastructure package together this month,” Ross said. “We’ll see what the reality is.”