Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2020 15:36:05 GMT -5
Second sinkhole opens on State Street in Utica
UTICA – The Mohawk Valley Water Authority has hired the company tasked with utility work at the downtown hospital to repair two broken water mains and a sewer line that caused multiple sinkholes on State Street over the weekend.
Patrick Becher, executive director of the Mohawk Valley Water Authority, said they had hired Marcellus Construction Co., Inc (MCI) to fix the issues as it is too much for the MVWA to handle on its own.
“It kind of goes beyond the scope of a water main break,” Becher said.
A portion of State Street, at the intersection of Lafayette Street, collapsed Sunday afternoon following a water main break in the same location Saturday night, Becher said. A second sinkhole occurred Sunday evening, a few feet away from the original, Becher added.
“In all likelihood, one created the other,” Becher said. ”... There’s no way to know which one.”
Becher said both mains are now shutoff, which have left a couple of area businesses without water. Water to the businesses will likely be restored Tuesday, Becher said.
Adding to the problems is a sewer line underneath the two mains and the various utility components in the area, Becher said. The utilities were being marked Monday morning before any work could be done on the mains, Becher said.
When the mains broke, the water stayed underground, carving out the area where the sinkholes are located, Becher said. The sewer line is likely why the water went down into the ground rather than bubbling through to the surface, he added.
Road closures due to sinkholes
The following streets are closed to through traffic due to a water main leak under the roadway:
State Street between Columbia Street and Route 5/8/12 north bound ramp.
Lafayette Street between Varick and Cornelia streets.
Variable Message Signs have been activated informing motorists of the road closure and advising them of alternative routes.
Source: NYDOT
It is still too early to state the cost of the repair work, but Becher believes it will cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Becher said MCI would repair the mains and sewer lines and then cap off the area. State Street is slated to be resurfaced at some point during the nearby hospital construction, Becher said.
The section of State Street and surrounding roads will likely be closed for a week or more for repairs, Becher said.
David Short, commissioner of Utica’s Department of Public Works, said his department had put up the initial barricades and now ensuring the area is safe as MCI takes over.
“At this point we’re on standby,” Short said.
Contact reporter Ed Harris at 315-792-5063 or follow him on Twitter
www.uticaod.com/news/20200309/second-sinkhole-opens-on-state-street-in-utica
Gee I wonder if a study was done to find out if that entire area could support the weight of the new hospital!!!!!!!!!
UTICA – The Mohawk Valley Water Authority has hired the company tasked with utility work at the downtown hospital to repair two broken water mains and a sewer line that caused multiple sinkholes on State Street over the weekend.
Patrick Becher, executive director of the Mohawk Valley Water Authority, said they had hired Marcellus Construction Co., Inc (MCI) to fix the issues as it is too much for the MVWA to handle on its own.
“It kind of goes beyond the scope of a water main break,” Becher said.
A portion of State Street, at the intersection of Lafayette Street, collapsed Sunday afternoon following a water main break in the same location Saturday night, Becher said. A second sinkhole occurred Sunday evening, a few feet away from the original, Becher added.
“In all likelihood, one created the other,” Becher said. ”... There’s no way to know which one.”
Becher said both mains are now shutoff, which have left a couple of area businesses without water. Water to the businesses will likely be restored Tuesday, Becher said.
Adding to the problems is a sewer line underneath the two mains and the various utility components in the area, Becher said. The utilities were being marked Monday morning before any work could be done on the mains, Becher said.
When the mains broke, the water stayed underground, carving out the area where the sinkholes are located, Becher said. The sewer line is likely why the water went down into the ground rather than bubbling through to the surface, he added.
Road closures due to sinkholes
The following streets are closed to through traffic due to a water main leak under the roadway:
State Street between Columbia Street and Route 5/8/12 north bound ramp.
Lafayette Street between Varick and Cornelia streets.
Variable Message Signs have been activated informing motorists of the road closure and advising them of alternative routes.
Source: NYDOT
It is still too early to state the cost of the repair work, but Becher believes it will cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Becher said MCI would repair the mains and sewer lines and then cap off the area. State Street is slated to be resurfaced at some point during the nearby hospital construction, Becher said.
The section of State Street and surrounding roads will likely be closed for a week or more for repairs, Becher said.
David Short, commissioner of Utica’s Department of Public Works, said his department had put up the initial barricades and now ensuring the area is safe as MCI takes over.
“At this point we’re on standby,” Short said.
Contact reporter Ed Harris at 315-792-5063 or follow him on Twitter
www.uticaod.com/news/20200309/second-sinkhole-opens-on-state-street-in-utica
Gee I wonder if a study was done to find out if that entire area could support the weight of the new hospital!!!!!!!!!
