By Gary Lloyd
The Trussville City Council on Monday approved a bid for work to repair the collapsed drainage pipe in front of Chevron on Chalkville Mountain Road.
The city council approved Milam & Company doing the work for $56,800.
The cost covers labor and equipment Milam & Company must use. The city will provide the materials necessary to complete the job.
Milam & Company began the work Tuesday morning, and estimated completing the job in eight to 10 working days.
The work will entail stabilizing the collapsed area around the concrete storm drain box to be reconstructed to protect the surrounding landscaped area and commercial sign, laying new pipe, removing unsuitable soil and replacing it with suitable soil, among other tasks.
The road and businesses in the area are not expected to close while work is done.
A look at the hole before work began, expanding and deepening the hole
photo by Scott Buttram
The gaping hole near Service Road and Chalkville Mountain Road was declared a public safety emergency earlier this month. The collapsed pipe was discovered earlier this month and is a result of a corrugated metal pipe about 38 feet below the surface.
Trussville Mayor Gene Melton said he believes the pipe was originally installed improperly and that over time, a void developed above the pipe as big storms came through the area. After the void reached a certain height, Melton said, the ground fell in, which caved in the pipe. Melton said this is the theory on what has happened. As a result, the pipe is stopped up, which has affected water flow.
Melton said earlier this month that Jefferson County will not be assisting in the repair. Jefferson County Commissioner Joe Knight said he “did everything I could to explore it” and research the issue to bring to county officials. Melton had spoken with Jefferson County Manager Tony Petelos prior to a special-called city council session earlier this month. Melton said the city didn’t have time to “sit and fight” over who should be responsible for the work — either the city or the county.
The public safety emergency resolution states that the flow through this pipe is now compromised and that the stormwater drainage system upstream does not function as designed, resulting in dangerous flooding conditions along Chalkville Mountain Road. If it were not repaired, “That’s going to look like Old Faithful,” Melton said of the area in front of Chevron.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.
