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1. Why didn’t the city wait until the new culvert was on hand before tearing up the road?

The old culvert had rusted in several places and had caved in. The road was getting unstable and was vulnerable to collapsing. The city could not ignore the safety risk to the public.

2. Isn’t there some temporary solution that can be implemented for the time being?

Unfortunately, no. When working in regulated floodplains, only a properly sized and designed culvert will safely handle the flow of water in the event of a heavy rain.

3. Do you have any idea how long will it take before the road is reopened?

Again, unfortunately, no. Until we secure a contractor to complete the job, there is no way to know how long this situation will last.

4. What options have you considered?

The original culvert comprised two metal pipes, each 54 inches (4 1/2 feet) in diameter. Originally, the city hoped to replace them with a single pipe 84 inches (seven feet) in diameter. That would have to be made of corrugated steel and is not available. Next the city looked at again using two 54-inch culverts. Again the shortage of corrugated steel has rendered these unavailable for now. The city also looked at using two 54-inch concrete culverts. They are not being produced, either. The city will also consider using aluminum pipe, but given its experience using aluminum for another project (described below), this would be its last choice. 

5. Why can’t the city use multiple smaller, standard-size pipes in lieu of a one or two custom-made pipes?

The replacement culvert needs to be integrated into retaining walls on the site. This can only be accomplished using the original configuration of two 54-inch pipes, or one 84-inch pipe.

6. Why is the city reluctant to install an aluminum culvert?

The city recently installed an aluminum culvert under Robbins Road after it had been closed for a considerable period of time due to the same shortage that is affecting the Maplewood project. The aluminum culvert proved to be fragile and easily damaged. The city hired an experienced contractor to install the culvert, but even so, the culvert was damaged in the process and had to be re-ordered, leading to a further two-month delay in completing the project.

7. Now that the emergency procurement declaration has been signed, how long will it take to complete the project and reopen the street?

That remains to be seen. The key issue will be how long it takes for the city to find a contractor with the necessary replacement pipes. 

8. Why did the city wait so long to invoke the emergency authorization process?

By law, the city can only use its emergency procurement process under certain conditions, one of them being to protect property. Given the length of time that the road has been excavated and with no end in sight, the threat of erosion is growing and it could make the situation worse. This created the grounds for using the emergency procurement process.

9. If the issue is a shortage of replacement pipe, how does the emergency procurement process help bring the project to a quicker completion?

The emergency procurement declaration allows the city to bypass its normal contracting requirements for soliciting bids. Instead, the city can seek out contractors with access to the necessary pipe and approach them directly. 

10. Is this situation with culverts happening anywhere else?

Yes. Old Salisbury Road – a heavily traveled artery that serves neighborhoods on the south side of town – has been closed since March 2021 due to a failing culvert. That project ais also on an indefinite delay due to the lack of a replacement. However, it currently does not qualify for an emergency procurement declaration. Other streets affected by the same issue include Robbins Road, as discussed above, and Long Drive, which also was closed for a protracted period.