Emergency storm-line replacement sought at Norman Berry Drive after pipe failures threaten roadway and Fire Station access

City water-resources staff told the East Point City Council on May 12 that a series of failing corrugated metal storm pipes near Norman Berry Drive require immediate emergency replacement to avoid roadway collapse and to preserve access to Fire Station 2.

Why it matters: The failure site lies adjacent to a primary emergency-access route; staff described the situation as urgent and said the roadway and an adjacent monument sign are surrounded by an orange safety fence. If the trenching and erosion advance, Jones said, the road itself could fail and the city’s emergency response access would be jeopardized.

The problem and estimate: Water Resources staff described three pipe runs where a 48-inch, a 60-inch and a 72-inch corrugated metal pipe and a concrete junction box have deteriorated. Melissa Ettrevio of Water Resources said the site is “dire,” with sinkhole formation and near-term risk to the roadway edge. The department requested approval to proceed with a qualified on-call contractor; staff presented a competitive on-call estimate of approximately $865,000 for replacement, lower than an earlier engineering-level congressional request figure of about $1.1 million. Staff said emergency procurement procedures apply because of immediate risk to life, health and safety.

Funding and grants: Ettrevio said the project had been submitted for earlier congres­sionally directed spending awards but was not funded in the current federal cycle; staff said the project could be resubmitted for potential reimbursement if the federal program or other grant monies become available, but the city cannot wait for an uncertain award before repairing the failing pipes.

Schedule and logistics: Staff said the contractor expects the replacement—performed in staged segments so the roadway remains open—to take roughly three to four weeks to complete once mobilized. The work will include replacing the corrugated pipes, rebuilding the junction box, riprap or other erosion protection, and removing and replacing trees and plantings where necessary.

Quotes: “This is dire for 1 because if Fire Station 2 cannot access South Martin or Maria Kidd Terrace, this impacts the ability for emergency services,” Water Resources staff said, summarizing the operational urgency.

Next steps: Staff asked the council to approve emergency replacement under the city’s procurement rules and to authorize contracting with the on-call vendor so work can begin within days. Staff further committed to seek any available grant reimbursement or post-event federal aid if eligible.

Ending: Council members acknowledged the urgency and raised standard procurement and funding questions. The city manager and water-resources director said they would proceed under emergency-authority procedures pending formal council authorization and with follow-up reporting on schedule and costs.