A sewer pipe break that occurred in early July between the CSX railroad and Pendleton Pike near Carroll Road has not yet been repaired because the contractor hired by the City of Lawrence must wait for CSX to schedule access to the site.
Acting Utilities Director Paul Wanner briefed the Utilities Committee on the repair project during its Aug. 14 meeting, noting that city workers patched the break immediately after it was discovered and the patch has held so far.
“There have been issues with CSX being understaffed and not being able to have anyone on site during the repair work,” Wanner said. “If they can find someone to volunteer to work that weekend (August 24), we could have someone on site on the 24th so the contractor can start the repair work. Otherwise, they said, the earliest they could schedule and be available is September 19th and 20th.”
Wanner said that in the meantime, the city will continue to monitor the temporary patch and make sure it holds. He said several crew members drive by the site daily.
In early July, the Utility Service Board approved an emergency spending of up to $125,000 for Culy Contracting to repair the sewer main, rather than waiting for the usual contract approval process. At the time, Wanner said the emergency request was necessary to get the repairs done as quickly as possible.
At its second meeting in July, the Board officially ratified a contract with Culy.
