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Bolivar property owner urges city to press TDOT over sinkhole, warns sidewalk project may be affected
Summary
Business owner Bob Williamson told the council that a sinkhole and repeated drainage blockages at 342 East Market Street stem from debris under the state highway; TDOT has declined responsibility, and Williamson asked the council to pursue state representatives and factor the issue into an upcoming north-side multimodal sidewalk grant project.
Bob Williamson, owner of the storage building at 342 East Market Street, told the Bolivar City Council the sinkhole near his property is the result of debris and a collapsed drainage structure running under the state highway and into a deep open gully.
Williamson said he had inspected the system with a camera and provided photographs and video to city staff and TDOT. "There is water backed up under that highway and held in there," he said, arguing the blockage is upstream of his property and that fixing only his site would not stop repeated failures. He told the council he has been unable to find contractors willing to repair the 17-foot-deep manhole structure without public works support.
Why it matters: Williamson told council the same drainage feature lies in the path of a planned north-side multimodal sidewalk funded by a grant. He said the grant's scope did not include moving utilities or subsurface fixes and that accumulated water on the highway could create a safety hazard if not addressed before construction. "This sidewalk project is a safety concern," Williamson said.
Mayor McTisick and council members described previous communications with TDOT. Council members relayed that TDOT representatives inspected the system and that TDOT's counsel has taken the position the agency is not responsible for the pipe or remedy on private property. Williamson said TDOT brought a camera crew but, in his account, the state crew reported only an obstruction while his own camera images showed larger debris and deposits under the right of way.
Council reaction and next steps: Multiple council members suggested sending the documentation to state representatives for assistance and urged staff to include the drainage issue in plans and engineer discussions for the sidewalk project. Council discussed sending letters to Representative Johnny Shaw and Senator Paige to request assistance; Williamson welcomed outreach but asked that it not be framed as a request only to fix his property.
What was said (selected quotes): "This is my property 342 East Market Street," Williamson said while showing maps and photos he supplied to the council. "There is water backed up under that highway and held in there." He added that earlier patches of gravel had settled and the hole later caved in, indicating ongoing failure.
Mayor McTisick said city staff had been involved with TDOT contacts and that he would forward Williamson's materials to the city's representatives for further review. Councilmember discussion included the suggestion that engineers on the sidewalk grant be asked to evaluate the subsurface drainage and to coordinate with TDOT as needed.
Unresolved questions: The record before the council did not include a conclusive legal determination of which agency is responsible for the drainage structure under the state highway. Councilmembers and the city attorney noted that if TDOT maintains its position, the only guaranteed method to change that stance may be litigation, a path Williamson said he could not afford. The council agreed to follow up with letters to state officials and to keep the drainage issue on the agenda while engineers scope the sidewalk project.
Next steps: Councilmembers volunteered to contact the area's state legislators and requested staff compile the documents Williamson provided so engineers and TDOT can reassess the subsurface conditions ahead of the sidewalk work.
