In wake of broken sewer, sinkhole prompts road closure
Sometimes when things break they go from bad to worse, and sometimes you get lucky.
The Warwick Sewer Authority and the city got a bit of both when a pipe in Sandy Lane collapsed Thanksgiving eve, causing backups in 11 residences. The authority set up a bypass to the blocked section of piping, area residents were alerted and cleanup measures were initiated for the 11 homes. Permanent corrective action – replacing about 175 feet of pipe between manholes across from Sandy Lane Apartments – was set to start Monday.
Then the situation went from bad to worse.
Sunday afternoon a section of Sandy Lane, located just where the emergency pump was set, caved in, dropping the pump that continued to operate into a sinkhole. The pump landed on top of a six-inch natural gas main. Suddenly, a bad situation went to a potentially explosive one.
That’s where the luck comes in.
The gas pipe held, and with the combined efforts of the city’s Department of Public Works, sewer authority and its contractor, D’Ambra Construction, the sinkhole was stabilized and the pump lifted out of the hole.
There appears to be no quick fix to the sewer line, meaning a construction crew will be on that section of Sandy Lane for about two weeks. The west bound lane in the vicinity of the sewer work will remain open during construction.
Janine Burke-Wells, director of the sewer authority, said routing traffic is problematic because of the number of dead end streets off Sandy Lane.
Monday morning traffic was backed up on Warwick Avenue and West Shore Road as motorists had to detour the highly-used thoroughfare.
“We’re going to have to take it step-by-step,” Burke-Wells said of the work ahead.
There’s more to consider than the sewer and gas line.
According to John Hannon, collection systems program manager, the project will also involve unearthing a “fragile” water main. Knowing that, water will be shut off for a portion of Sandy Lane today.
Lara D’Antuono, executive director of the Warwick Boys and Girls Clubs said the Club at Cooper, which is close to the break, was open Monday, but would be closed today. She hopes the club can reopen on Wednesday.
Also, there is a 12-inch storm water drain in the path of the section of pipe needing replacement. Hannon said the drainpipe wouldn’t be touched given the forecast of two inches of rain Monday night.
“But after that it looks like a week and a half of decent weather,” said Hannon. Conservatively, he said, repairs could take two weeks, “but be prepared for more.”
A 30-year employee of the sewer authority, Hannon said the authority has had to deal with five pipe collapses in recent years. He attributed the breaks to the age of the system and hydrogen sulfide gas, produced by sewerage that deteriorates the cement piping used in the 1960s. The resin pipes used today are impervious to the gas. The pipe needing replacement is 16 feet below Sandy Lane.
“We’ve dealt with this before,” said Hannon, “but this is the toughest so far.”
Burke-Wells said insurance adjusters have been on-site and that insurance is handling the cleanup of properties experiencing backups. Affected residents were offered the opportunity to be put up in hotels during the cleanup.
Still, it’s hard to deny that for those impacted by the unfortunate turns of events, their day-to-day reality at this point simply stinks.
“The whole neighborhood smells like sewage,” said one Armory Drive resident who wished to remain anonymous. He said that, while he hasn’t experienced any sewage backups, he feels for his neighbors – some of who have suffered multiple backup incidents in the past few years.
“I’m at the end [of the road], I’m lucky. I’m up [at higher elevation],” he said. “I feel bad for the people that aren’t.” On Monday afternoon, City Hall issued the following advisory:
Crews continue to work to repair damage caused by the collapse of a sewer line on Sandy Lane last week. The areas presently affected are Sandy Lane from Fletcher to Trent Avenues. Until further notice, residents are advised of the following information:
School Bus Drop/Off Pickup Location Changes
Until further notice, there will be 2 pickup and drop off locations for students attending Lippitt Elementary School, Toll Gate High School and WACTC:
- Lippitt Bus 5 and Toll Gate/WACTC Bus 52 Bus stops will be the Warwick Continental Little League Ball Field, located behind the Warwick Public Library
- Lippitt Bus 1 and Toll Gate/WACTC Bus 51 Bus stop will be the Thayer Arena parking lot, 975 Sandy Lane
- Students on Lippitt Bus 1 that are not affected by the road closure will be picked up at their regular location
- Special Education bus drivers will be contacting parents individually for specific pick up and drop off instructions
- Fletcher Avenue will be closed to through traffic. Only buses will be allowed to enter and exit. All drop offs and pick up of Warwick Veterans students will take place via the West Shore Road entrance to the school
Traffic Detours
- Until further notice, travel on Sandy Lane will be open one way only, for westbound local traffic.
- Eastbound traffic will be detoured. Police officers will be located at the eastbound and westbound side of the construction sites, at the school entrance, Oakland Beach Avenue and Wilde’s Corner to detour traffic.
- Please be aware that due to traffic pattern changes on Sandy Lane, the volume of traffic will be increased on West Shore Road. Please plan accordingly.
Warwick Sewer Authority
As repair work continues, the Sewer Authority has established a dedicated phone line to provide updates on the progress of repairs, to include any anticipated water shut offs and/or traffic detours. This number is (401) 921-1122.
Updates will also be provided at:
- warwickri.gov
- warwicksewerauthority.com
- via the police department’s Facebook and Twitter accounts
