Hobart Sanitary District declares emergency after sinkhole damages culvert on W. Old Ridge Road

The Hobart Sanitary District on March 24 declared an emergency after a sinkhole formed over a rotted steel culvert on the 300 block of West Old Ridge Road. City staff told the Board the opening, estimated roughly the size of a 55‑gallon drum, was temporarily stabilized but remains at risk and requires prompt replacement.

Tim Kingsland told the Board that the culvert is in severe condition, with deteriorated intake pipes and damaged banks that may require drainage redirection and bank re‑stabilization. Kingsland recommended engaging Wessler Engineering to develop a repair plan that includes drainage considerations, and he asked the Board to declare an emergency so work can proceed without delay.

Board members voted unanimously to declare an emergency and to pursue proposals for construction and repair of the culvert. The motion to pursue proposals was made by Joe Broadaway and seconded by Larry Gutierrez; the vote was 4‑0. The Board also approved pursuing contractor proposals so the work can be contracted as needed once plans and cost estimates are complete.

The Board did not specify a construction timeline in the meeting record. Kingsland noted the location has been temporarily stabilized but the duration of that stability is uncertain. Next steps recorded in the minutes are engagement of engineering to develop repair plans and soliciting contractor proposals for replacement.

The emergency declaration was one of several actions taken at the meeting; minutes show the Board considered multiple task orders, contract approvals and routine maintenance items during the session that ended at 6:47 PM.