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Board declares emergency after major culvert failure on Old Ridge Road
Summary
The Hobart City Redevelopment Authority declared an emergency after staff found a corroded culvert and sinkhole on Old Ridge Road and authorized solicitation of engineering and construction proposals to stabilize the road and banks.
The Hobart City Redevelopment Authority voted to declare an emergency after staff reported a severely corroded culvert near the 300 block of Old Ridge Road that has caused a sinkhole and bank scour, raising public-safety concerns.
Staff described the structure as an older corrugated metal culvert that appears to step down from roughly 48 inches to 36 inches and is badly corroded; visible collapse created a large void near a sidewalk and evidence of scour on both banks. A staff member said the hole had been stabilized temporarily but the full extent of underground damage is unknown and recommended immediate engineering review and proposals for repair.
Chair announced the emergency declaration motion and the board then authorized staff to solicit engineering and emergency construction proposals so work can be planned quickly. A staff presenter said Wessler had already been on-site and would prepare a scope and a cost estimate for the board to consider at the next meeting.
The board emphasized traffic and safety concerns because the culvert lies adjacent to a heavily traveled road and could complicate upcoming bridge work. Members asked staff to seek a prompt engineering assessment before selecting a repair method, noting that options could include lining, pipe bursting, or full replacement depending on the survey and hydraulic needs.
Next steps: staff will obtain engineering pricing and a replacement plan from the consultant and return with proposals for the board to authorize construction funding or emergency contracting.
