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Town engineer reports emergency Juliana Drive sewer replacement; council taps reserves for repair
Summary
A sinkhole and collapsed 24-inch storm pipe at 20 Juliana Drive prompted an emergency full-line replacement that town staff say will cost roughly $300,000–$350,000; the council authorized emergency repairs and the town used reserves while final costs are determined.
A collapsed storm sewer and a subsequent sinkhole at 20 Juliana Drive in Jordan Estates prompted an emergency pipe replacement this week, town staff told the Stormwater Management Board on June 1.
Town engineer Drew Flamen said crews identified failure of a 24-inch corrugated metal pipe after a camera inspection showed sections that had deteriorated and, in places, were supported only by poor backfill and construction debris. "A large sinkhole was identified at the property at 20 Juliana Drive," Flamen said, and the damage extended roughly 180 linear feet from the outfall to a storm manhole.
Flamen said contractors initially planned a point repair and cured-in-place lining to avoid open-cut work, but the pipe was too deformed and brittle to allow lining. The town council declared an emergency and Sam Trucking & Excavating performed an open-cut replacement. Flamen said the crew used a trench box rather than sheet piling because of large boulders and to reduce vibration risk for adjacent homes. Temporary pumps kept groundwater from entering a nearby basement during high rain events.
The town treasurer told the board the work has been expensive and that the town has tapped other reserves to cover the cost. "After spending 300 plus thousand dollars on this project, it definitely couldn't come out of the stormwater fees," the treasurer said; she described pulling funds from the general fund and reserves to permit immediate work. Officials characterized the $350,000 figure as an estimate and said final accounting was not yet complete.
Work was delayed by recent rain and by homeowner scheduling; Flamen said crews expected to have the new pipe in place in early June, weather permitting. The town is continuing follow-up repairs (undercutting and material replacement) and has not finalized the full dollar amount because of variable soil and utility conditions encountered during excavation.
Board members praised the contractor and town crews for their response and coordination with homeowners. The board asked staff to provide final cost figures and to document all work and equipment hours to aid future grant applications and any necessary FEMA reporting.
The board did not take further formal action on the item at the June 1 meeting; staff said they would return with final accounting and any recommended budget adjustments.
