Previously, there was no connection involving the Southeast Transmission waterline replacement and any underground utility work in Emporia’s north downtown area, but last month’s sinkhole near 10th and Commercial changed things.
Specifically, city commissioners approved a change order on Southeast to fund repairs near the sinkhole site instead of developing a brand-new bid process for the repairs. On KVOE’s Morning Show on Thursday, City Engineer Jim Ubert says there’s a simple reason why:
Initial sinkhole repairs are almost done. Ubert says the storm sewer pipe in in place and there is gravel surrounding it as fill material. Repaving will wait a bit.
In the meantime, crews are getting ready to start repair work at the north end of the recent sinkhole and then go about 40 feet to the north to 10th before shifting west along 10th to the alley between Commercial and Merchant. Construction is tentatively set to wrap up no later than May 22, or at least a week before the Unbound Gravel slate of activities.
Ubert says the storm sewer that failed was installed at some time between 1901-1922 — or, as Ubert says, “Model A’s and horse-drawn buggies were driving.” Gross vehicle weight limits at that time were around 6,000. Now they are 80,000 pounds, with allowances for superloads
Ubert says this sets up a much broader project to gauge the condition of underground utilities.
Speaking of being done, Southeast is just about at that step. Ubert says there are few wrap-up projects left, but he believes Southeast should be totally done by the end of April or early May. Southeast began last spring and brought new lines and service connections from 12th and Garfield to South and Carter, following the 24th and Prairie waterline project from the Water Treatment Plant to 12th and Prairie and the Peyton Street waterline project involving both the city’s water storage towers.
