Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure Emergency topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Guymon closes section of Price Boulevard after sinkhole reveals failing wastewater line
Summary
City officials closed a stretch of Price Boulevard and Circle Drive after discovering a sinkhole tied to a deteriorated concrete outflow line; staff said the pipe may date to the 1930s–1940s and repairs could be sizable and will require contracting work.
Guymon officials told the council they closed Price Boulevard at Circle Drive after discovering a sinkhole caused by a deteriorated concrete outflow line that may date to the 1930s or 1940s. City staff described the failure as a significant cut into the roadway and said contractors will be engaged to locate and repair the damaged section.
City Manager Shannon (presenting during council reports) said the damaged stretch “looks like maybe about a 150 to 200 feet” and that crews might need to excavate from manhole to manhole, which could be closer to 300 feet. Shannon said a contractor was expected to arrive within one to two days to assess the site and begin repairs, and officials closed the road and asked residents to avoid the area for safety.
Why it matters: the line serves the city’s wastewater outflow and sits near an older wastewater treatment site; staff warned the sinkhole presented a public-safety and traffic disruption concern and would require funded repairs.
Details and context
- Age and condition: Shannon told council that the line appears to be old concrete “probably been in there probably since probably the thirties and forties” and has deteriorated.
- Extent and timeline: Staff estimated the damaged section could be roughly 150–300 feet and said a contractor was expected in the coming days to start locating usable pipe and planning a repair. The roadway has been closed to traffic at the site; city staff asked citizens to avoid the area.
- Cost: Council discussion included rough and inconsistent cost references in the staff update; a precise repair estimate was not provided at the meeting. Staff described the expected work as a near-term capital repair that will require contractor procurement and funding allocation.
Speakers
City Manager Shannon — described the sinkhole, the likely age of the pipe and the contractor timeline.
Ending
Staff will engage a contractor to evaluate and repair the damaged outflow line and will return to council with a scope and cost estimate; the road closure remains until repairs permit reopening.
