Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Culvert Emergency topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board declares emergency and seeks engineering proposals after major culvert failure on Old Ridge Road
Summary
Staff reported a large failing culvert near 311 W Old Ridge Road with sinkhole formation and significant scour. The board declared an emergency and authorized staff to solicit engineering and construction proposals for a replacement or repair.
A substantial failure in a corrugated metal culvert on Old Ridge Road prompted the board to declare an emergency and direct staff to obtain engineering proposals.
Field staff described findings at approximately the 300 block of West Old Ridge Road, reporting heavily corroded corrugated steel, large voids and a sinkhole near the sidewalk. One field operator said the structure had "seen better" and that in places "the whole wall you can just wrap the metal and pull it away," signaling structural collapse and scour around the inlet and outlet. Staff noted the culvert had likely been in place for decades and that debris and soil infiltration complicated interior inspection.
Wessler (an engineering firm) and district staff had already made on-site observations; staff recommended using Wessler or similar engineering services to develop a plan and obtain cost estimates. The board voted to declare an emergency for the Old Ridge Road culvert, authorize solicitation of emergency engineering and construction proposals, and instructed staff to return with proposals and recommended next steps.
Board members emphasized public-safety concerns and potential traffic impacts given the culvert's proximity to a traveled road and nearby bridge work. Staff will pursue emergency proposals and report back with cost and schedule options before the next meeting.
