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City warns 6-week sewer repair on Fry Boulevard will require a 2½-week closure of Fry/Bridal; businesses to be notified
Summary
Wastewater staff told council a 10‑inch clay interceptor beneath Fry Boulevard has a sag and cracking that requires excavation and repair; the project is budgeted in the sewer enterprise fund, will require coordination with ADOT and SSVEC, and will include a full roadway closure for about 2½ weeks within a six‑week construction window.
City wastewater staff informed the council that a 10‑inch gravity‑fed vitreous clay sewer interceptor under Fry Boulevard (near State Routes 90/92) has developed a worsening sag and longitudinal cracks that risk fracturing the pipe and causing sewer backups.
“We are required to visit this site for cleaning at least twice a month, removing blockages that occur due to the presence of a large sag under Fry Boulevard,” wastewater manager Bryce Kirkpatrick told the council. He said crews have observed additional settling and warned that, if the sag continues to drop, the line may fracture and produce environmental hazards and property damage.
Kirkpatrick said ADOT plans a paving project in the spring and requested the city attempt the repair before ADOT repaves to avoid damaging fresh pavement. The planned repair would need a full closure of Fry (Bridal) Boulevard for about 2½ weeks; the entire construction timeline is expected to take six weeks. The closure would require detour routing and coordination with SSVEC because the work will be near major power lines. Kirkpatrick said funds are budgeted in the sewer enterprise fund and staff have begun coordinating with the contractor, ADOT and SSVEC.
Council members asked whether business access would be blocked; staff said alternative access points exist, that staff will door‑knock businesses prior to work and will publicize the closure widely. Staff also told council they evaluated other options to avoid closing Fry Boulevard but those alternatives would cost roughly an additional $500,000; given the sewer fund’s condition, the planned repair fits within the current budget.
Why it matters: the interceptor serves about 140 acres of residential and commercial connections; an unaddressed failure could cause backups, environmental contamination and more costly repairs. The work will temporarily disrupt traffic in a busy corridor and requires coordination with ADOT’s paving and local utilities.
Next steps: staff said they are finalizing contractor selection, advancing permitting with ADOT and coordinating traffic plans and business notifications. Councilors and staff agreed to notify the public and impacted businesses ahead of construction.
