Jacksonville Beach officials authorized emergency funds to repair a sinkhole at a city lift station after a collapsed pipe caused the ground around a manhole to give way.
Public Works Director Dennis Barron said crews investigated Lift Station 18 at 22nd Street North and Eighth Avenue North and determined that a pipe had collapsed between the wet well and the manhole.
City Manager Mike Staffopoulos previously approved a $239,428.61 quote from Callaway Contracting Inc. for the emergency repairs. Barron requested a 10% contingency of $23,942.86 to cover unanticipated costs, bringing the total project amount to no more than $263,371.47.
“We are asking for the 10% contingency just in case something crazy happens between now and getting it fixed,” Barron said.
The damage occurred after heavy rain caused the top of the clay pipe connected to the manhole to collapse. Barron said the dirt surrounding the manhole also gave way, creating the sinkhole.
Councilman Bill Horn questioned whether other structural or environmental issues could cause additional damage at the site.
“Are there other things we are missing here? Is there something else in that area?” he asked.
Barron said the damaged portion of the clay pipe broke and pulled into the wet well, leaving the dirt above it exposed. As sewage flowed through the pipe, it continued to funnel out the surrounding dirt until soggy conditions forced nearly 2 feet of the area to collapse in a single day.
“We never know when they are going to happen,” he said.
Crews will also correct an undersized manhole that measures 4 feet in diameter instead of the standard 5 feet. Barron said the emergency repair of the manhole and the influent sewer line will be completed at the same time.
“It doesn’t sound like it’s a big deal. Draw a four-foot circle and try to bend over and do anything in it and you will realize that four foot to five foot makes a big difference,” he said. “So we need to actually increase the size of it.”
Barron said Lift Station 18 is identified for an overhaul in the city’s five-year budget plan, but the emergency project will help reduce future costs.
“It’s only going to turn into a minor upgrade when we get there because this work is going to be done in advance,” he said.
Public Works requested quotes from five construction firms currently working on other projects in Jacksonville Beach. The quotes ranged from $239,428.61 to $571,356.53.
