Council approves quotes for Ellerbusch culvert repair and Monroe Street pavement restoration

The Newburgh Town Council approved town staff’s request Wednesday to seek quotes for a culvert crossing and pavement repairs at an area of failing roadway on Ellerbusch Road and to solicit separate bids to restore pavement on Monroe and Second Streets after recent town crew work.

Town Engineer Drew Blaney told the council crews have observed sinking pavement about 250 feet north of Southgate Boulevard where an inadequate west ditch slope and standing water have likely led to migration of fines through utility trenches and a shear-plane failure below the roadway. Staff recommended excavating the compromised soils, installing a small-diameter culvert, and patching the pavement as a stopgap until larger, phase-2 improvements can be designed and funded.

Blaney warned that the work will require relocation of a nearby gas main owned by CenterPoint Energy before a patch can be completed. He anticipated traffic closures “probably maybe a day or two” for the gas relocation and an additional day or two for the culvert work.

Council approved a motion to seek quotes for the Ellerbusch culvert crossing and separately approved soliciting pavement-restoration quotes for Monroe and Second Streets. Members clarified they wanted pavement restoration handled as a separate motion; the council approved that separately. No additional funding appropriation was made at the meeting; the motions authorized staff to obtain quotes so the town can return with cost estimates for contract awards.