Specialty pipe from Dubai arrives for south Edmonton sinkhole fix, work expected to be completed in July
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The hole was caused by a 2.5 meter hole opening in the top of a sewer line under the road. This caused the materials around the hole to erode, creating a deep void.
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Work teams are continuing to repair the large sinkhole on 109 Street and 63 Avenue in Edmonton on March 25, 2021. The repair has been delayed and is unlikely to be completed before July 2021. Photo by Larry Wong /.Postmedia
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A custom-made pipe has arrived in Edmonton after Epcor discovered a sinkhole at a busy intersection south of the city needed repairing.
The 23-meter-deep sinkhole opened last October at the intersection of 61 Avenue and 109 Street. Epcor spokeswoman Laura Ehrkamp said Thursday the hole was caused by a 2.5 meter hole in the top of a sewer pipe under the street. This caused the materials around the hole to erode, creating a deep void.
Ehrkamp said the exact cause of the pipeline opening cannot be confirmed, but it is believed that hydrogen sulfide gas present in the plumbing system may have caused the sewer line to erode.
Due to the unique oval shape of the trunk duct, the crews were asked to find the right product for the repairs. Epcor reached out to several companies and found the Dubai pipe fit the best. Ehrkamp said she could not disclose the cost of the pipeline due to confidential procurement processes.
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“Few companies in the world manufacture such non-round fiberglass tubes,” Ehrkamp said in an email. “Ordering the pipe from Dubai turned out to be the best option as the manufacturer was able to design and deliver the custom pipe to the unique specifications and in the shortest possible time.”
The pipe has been shipped to Edmonton and is due to be installed next month.
When the sinkhole opened, the utility announced that the work would be completed by May 2021. It now assumes the intersection will reopen in late July.
“Emergencies are unpredictable. Initial estimates of the schedule in the event of an emergency are always preliminary, as the condition of the assets is unknown and the entire scope of work could be expanded in the course of the emergency, ”said Ehrkamp.
Ehrkamp said a soil stabilization study found additional air pockets were present after the crews worked to fill the gap around the trunk line. She said the cold temperatures in the city in February also delayed stabilization work.
“We are aware that the delay will continue to affect the flow of traffic in the region, and we would like to thank drivers, residents and business owners in the region for their patience and understanding while our crews continue this emergency work,” said Ehrkamp.
A map of the road closures and the location of a sinkhole on 61 Avenue and 109 Street. The yellow line represents a bypass system for the sewer installed by Epcor. Photo delivered by
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