Road work has nothing to so with sinkhole reported in May

By Gillian Slade on July 20, 2017.

gslade@medicinehatnews.com @MHNGillianSlade

It may look as though the city is digging up the road where there was a sinkhole in May but a city spokesman says that is not the case at all.

“They are just pulling out the temporary asphalt off the sidewalk there and putting in a new concrete wheelchair ramp,” said Trevor Funk, operations superintendent for municipal works.

A sinkhole originally developed in the middle of May at the corner of Fourth Street SE and Sixth Avenue near the bus depot. It was caused by old storm sewer infrastructure collapsing. Once the area was excavated it became clear the failing infrastructure of the catch basin and sections of the pipes were more extensive than expected and a larger section of pipe was replaced.

The work taking place this week is nothing to do with the cause of the sinkhole or the repair in that regard.

The repair in May required pulling up part of the concrete sidewalk. The sidewalk was patched with asphalt at the time because it was too early in the season for concrete and it takes more time to replace concrete, said Funk.

“Now, it finally was time for us to go and put in the permanent concrete and it is going to be better than it was before,” said Funk.