Union City approves emergency repair after sinkhole exposes failed storm pipe

Union City Borough Council on July 9 approved emergency repairs after a sinkhole at 98 East High Street revealed a severely corroded stormwater pipe.

Streets Supervisor Bob Phillips told the council a sinkhole in the backyard of 98 East High measured about 3 feet wide and 8 feet deep. A camera inspection showed the first 50 feet of pipe from East High Street was cement and intact, but the next roughly 90–100 feet consisted of galvanized pipe whose bottom had failed; the inspection camera fell into the damaged section and could not be retrieved. Mansfield provided a quote of $14,500 to replace the galvanized section with plastic pipe, Phillips said.

After discussion, Councilor Steadman moved and Councilor Kerns seconded a motion to authorize Mansfield to perform the replacement at the quoted price; the motion carried unanimously. The council also authorized Mansfield to cut concrete and open a sinkhole in Municipal Lot #1, spending up to $6,000 after contacting McLallen Construction for an alternate price and availability.

The motions aim to restore drainage and address immediate public-safety hazards; the council did not identify a longer-term capital funding source at the meeting. Street staff said soil and grass seed placed for a recent streambank stabilization on Bentley Run washed out in a subsequent rainstorm and would be replaced, underscoring recurring drainage and erosion issues in the borough.

Council members did not specify an exact repair schedule in the motion beyond selecting Mansfield and authorizing the work and costs. The council will revisit related drainage issues as they arise.