Jasper storm sewer collapse step closer to being fixed (updated)

Storm Sewer collapse on South Newton — The City of Jasper uncovered this 60 inch storm sewer to inspect about 240 feet of the line for problems in the spring. The City attempted to have the manufacturer of the pipe bear some financial responsibility for the collapse due to possible structural issues, but the company has declined to claim any responsibility since the line was installed over ten years ago. The company contracted to install it has also went out of business, effectively sticking the city with the bill for the replacement.

Update: The Jasper Board of Publics Work excepted the bid from Blankenburger Brothers, Inc., for $276,825 to repair the collapsed storm sewer line along South Newton.

According to City Engineer Chad Hurm, work is expected to start withing two weeks and the company has a 90 day window of completion.

Original story: The hole on South Newton Street continues to be problematic for the City of Jasper.

City Engineer Chad Hurm presented the Board of Public Works with one returned bid for the project at the Tuesday morning meeting. The board decided to take the single bid for $276,825 from Blankenburger Brothers, Inc. under advisement.

Hurm told the board four packages for the project had been picked up but Blankenburger Brothers was the only company to return a bid.

Hurm stated the lack of bids may be due to the sheet piling that is required to complete the project. In this project the contractor will have to drive 1o to 15 foot pieces of sheet metal down behind the curb along several hundred feet of South Newton Street. The sheets will create a coffer dam to hold the dirt and aggregate under the road in place as the 60-inch line is replaced. Hurm said not many companies have the ability to drive sheet pilings into the ground.

Blankenburger Brothers is a large contractor and has worked on the I-69 project and has the capabilities to install the sheet pilings.

The Board of Public Works will decide to approve the bid received today or rebid the project at the next meeting to be held on October 22 at 8 a.m.