Councillors here are getting a sinking feeling regarding Station Street in Hillsburgh.
While the town owns the road, that might not be true for the land beneath it.
As Station Street leaves Hillsburgh, it crosses a narrow causeway and one-lane bridge that includes a dam holding back pond waters.
In his Nov. 1 report to council, roads superintendent Larry Van Wyck stated, “During the past six weeks, it appears significant settlement has occurred on Station Street in the area of a culvert crossing under the road.”
He believes further investigation is needed to determine the cause before the surface is smoothed out.
“It is my expectation some expense will be incurred, but it is necessary to ensure the safety of people using this road,” Van Wyck said.
He suspects the troubles arose from a bad connection in the culvert. “Last week there was an issue where water was bubbling up out of the culvert probably two feet into the air.”
He said the outlet of the culvert is completely submerged, while the inlet is a concrete structure that appears to have been tampered with.
Van Wyck suggested the town undertake non-invasive structural investigation with a sewer camera to find out what is going on.
“The entire road appears to have sunk four to six inches,” he said.
He noted the problem is not just in the area of the culvert; “One whole side of the road appears to be moving.”
Van Wyck suspects a large stone is underneath, and with water flowing around it, material is being washed out of the road base.
“I am hesitant to attempt any permanent repair here, until we know what the cause is. This could be very serious.”
He suggested council might want to consider budgeting for replacement of the bridge, the causeway and other structures.
In his investigation, he did not find clear documentation of ownership of the land under the road.
Other parties may own the dam, and other parties may own the control structures.
“But we are the owners of the road and we are ultimately responsible. We can’t turn a blind eye to whatever is causing this. We need a resolution and some assurance that this is safe.”
Councillor Barb Tocher said, “It’s been getting consistently worse all summer.”
Van Wyck said as of the meeting, he is uncertain a sewer camera could be placed there – if the culvert remains full of water. “It may just give a cloudy picture.”
Mayor Lou Maieron wondered why the culvert would be completely full of water, without a pocket of air.
Van Wyck said the outlet of is currently below water, so water in the south pond is higher than the water going into it. At the inflow, there is a square cement casing emerging from the pond that cannot be seen inside from the road.
Van Wyck said the only water intended to go into that outlet is likely what would exist if the water level reached the top of the cement structure.
“We can’t lower any of these ponds; it’s out of our jurisdiction.”
He said the day it happened, CVC representatives were in the area.
Tocher added, “In my recollection, I can’t remember any work being done on that road in at least the last 40 years.”
Van Wyck said if something serious comes of the investigation that needs immediate action, council will be notified.
Tocher said she had been concerned all summer the road was just going to wash away.
Van Wyck said there is no evidence of material coming out from the other side.
“It’s left us scratching our heads.”
