As planned work comes to an end for Emporia’s Southeast Transmission waterline project, previously-unplanned work is still ahead in downtown Emporia.
It has been a week since a sinkhole developed near the southeast corner of 10th and Commercial after a 44-inch storm sewer box cracked and failed near the Carlos Liquor west drive-thru entrance. City Engineer Jim Ubert says the city’s initial findings and cost estimates are in front of a contractor. While work focuses on the immediate repair zone, Ubert says there is still some investigative work ahead nearby.
Having said that, Ubert says there is still some investigation needed at the failure site after initial video work.
Work for the immediate failure site could cost almost $55,000. If the work zone needs to be extended along Commercial from 8th to 10th and includes 10th from Commercial to Merchant, the price tag climbs to around $850,000.
There is no official timetable for getting the project out to bid, but Ubert says the goal is to have that information ready “real fast.” Ubert also says there are conversations about a traffic control plan specifically involving northbound drivers on Commercial Street, although that hinges on the investigations currently underway or coming soon.
