Storm sewer replacement project taking place in southeast Waukon ...

Crews from Ray's Excavating of Edgewood continue their work on replacement of a section of storm sewer next to New Life Christian Church and heading south underneath Seventh Avenue SE to its outlet just on the south side of that roadway, with this portion of the project expected to be completed by November 30. This phase of the project (pictured in top photo above) involves replacement of 156 feet of the previous corrugated metal pipe (a small section of which is pictured in the center of the photo directly above) with larger capacity, 72-inch concrete pipe (several sections of which can also be seen in the photo directly above). This section of the project is being completed initially after a portion of the metal pipe had collapsed and created a sinkhole that had grown "large enough to fit a small car into," according to project inspector Brian Dunt of Fehr-Graham Engineering, the City of Waukon's contracted engineering firm. According to Dunt, once the new pipe is in place, plans are to have it covered with dirt and gravel for the winter months, allowing for settling from the upcoming freeze/thaw anticipated during the next several months. Following the arrival of spring next year, the remainder of the overall project will continue with replacement/repair of the metal storm sewer pipe from Rossville Road near the Casey's General Store location south and east through the large parking lot serving Waukon Banquet Center and First Baptist Church to tie into the newly-replaced section pictured above. The remainder of the project is expected to continue to be done in smaller sections in order to allow use of the parking lot and in an effort to not disrupt businesses being served by the parking lot. The overall project is expected to be completed by May 31, 2017, including reseeding of the grassy areas and pavement over Seventh Avenue SE. Standard photos by Joe Moses.