Contractor cites misaligned sewer segments; Whitefish Bay board approves April substantial-completion extension

Whitefish Bay — The Village Board approved a contract amendment on Jan. 6 to extend substantial completion for the Big Bay Park storm-sewer and park restoration project after contractors discovered misaligned cast-in-place concrete segment rings in the deep shaft.

Mid City representative Tom Zuluk and village engineer Mustaf Amir described field work that uncovered roughly 10 out of 30 segment rings that were not contacting each other as designed. The contractor, Michaels, proposed a corrective action plan that includes filling and smoothing areas with structural concrete and installing reinforced concrete rings to restore compression strength.

Zuluk said crews have dug roughly 65 to 70 feet and are working to remove concrete obstructions and weld structural steel rings to shore excavation. Michaels initially paused work after the misalignment was found; they subsequently provided a corrective plan reviewed by Mid City and the village's structural engineer. Construction resumed with the plan in place on Dec. 23.

Project staff told trustees the temporary emergency repair remains in place while crews complete corrective concrete work. Mid City said hydraulic capacity is not lost by the repair approach but that the corrective work will take additional weeks; staff asked the board to approve a substantial-completion extension to accommodate the extra concrete and connection work. The board approved an EJCDC-based extension amendment that sets substantial completion for April 18, 2025, and the contractor said it still expects to restore water flow through the lined sewer and begin park restoration in time to meet a May 1 target if no further issues arise.

Trustees stressed safety and long-term durability in accepting the correction plan. Village staff said the village will continue to monitor construction updates and receive weekly progress memos.