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Sixth Street stormwater pipe still leaking

Sixth Street SW will remain closed until February, while repairs are made - again.

By TERRI BRYCE REEVES
Published December 17, 2005

LARGO - A short section of Sixth Street SW that has been closed since July because of a leaky stormwater pipe won't reopen until February, city officials say.

Sixth Street SW, at West Bay Drive, has been breaking up since the stormwater pipe, which was installed in 2001, became defective. Officials noticed a problem in the spring when the paved surface began to weaken and crack.

"We were seeing depressions and potholes and the asphalt started to sink," said Michael Staffopoulos, director of community development.

An inspection revealed that sand, dirt and water were penetrating the pipeline. Contech, the pipe's manufacturer, made repairs in May and June to correct the defects.

Those repairs, however, apparently didn't take. Further inspection revealed that not only were the newly repaired areas failing, but other areas of the pipeline were also deteriorating.

That's when the city closed that portion of Sixth Street SW.

"We haven't heard too many complaints," Staffopoulos said. "It's an ancillary road and most people use Ridge Road or Fourth Street."

The inspection uncovered defects along 1,350 of the 2,000 linear feet of aluminized corrugated metal stormwater pipe. The pipe was installed in 2001 as part of the West Bay Drive capital improvement project. The faults are located along the south side of West Bay Drive from Ridge Road to Fourth Street SW.

City officials met in October with representatives of Contech and everyone agreed that the pipe had defects and permanent repairs were necessary.

"I do know there were questions about the handling of the pipe and the way it was installed," said Bill Burnette, general manager of the Tampa division of Contech.

He said the company's attorneys and the city's attorneys had hammered out the repair agreement.

"The contractor has stepped up and is doing their part in a good faith agreement to repair the 54-inch pipe," said Staffopoulos.

The agreement, which is scheduled to be considered by the City Commission Tuesday night, states that Contech will pay for a contractor to install an epoxy liner inside the defective pipe - effectively creating a new pipe inside the old one - in exchange for a release from the city.

The repairs, which are expected to begin in January, will cost Contech $404,000.

During the repair process, two portions of the failed pipe will be excavated and replaced. Fabric soaked in epoxy resin will be placed inside the pipe and inflated with hot water to take the shape of the pipe. Hot water will be continuously circulated until the epoxy cures, and a new pipe will be formed inside the old.

In addition to the defects attributed to Contech, two other sections of the pipe also need repair. Largo plans to ask the Florida Department of Transportation for help since the West Bay Drive Road reconstruction project was a joint project funded by the city and the DOT. Now, the city hopes the DOT will pay a portion of the additional $71,000 needed to fix the pipe.

Stormwater pipe originally installed 2001.

Road closed in July.

Repair cost that would be paid by contractor: $404,000.

Projected re-opening: February.

[Last modified December 17, 2005, 01:01:18]