Broken pipe damages asphalt, adds to flood control project

A recent waterline break on Buchanan Boulevard has added work to the city’s current flood control project. The project on Buchanan has been a success thus far, according to Public Works Director Scott Hansen, despite a waterline failure damaging several hundred feet of asphalt.

Hansen said the city had to replace 40 feet of broken pipe that caused flooding at about 6:30 p.m. Jan. 4. Significant damage was done to the asphalt on Buchanan from Elm Street to the Hyde Business Center, he said. Replacing all 40 feet of pipe took about 12 hours to complete.

“The significant part was that a lot of water leaked out before we were able to get the line shut down,” Hansen said.

But the failing waterline was not related to the flood control project, which the city began in September to help alleviate flood waters along Buchanan. The $4.5 million project was funded by the Clark County Regional Flood Control District. Meadow Valley Contractors is the lead company on the project, which is expected to be completed by June.

“It’s just old pipe. Sometimes the pipes will last a lot longer, sometimes it’s just hard to say,” Hansen said. “As far as we can tell, it wasn’t related to the construction project.”

Hansen also said that some water ran into the new storm drain and inside some of the work areas, but it didn’t have a significant impact on construction.

He said the city recently found a contractor to repair the damaged asphalt. That project is expected to cost an additional $39,000.

Contact reporter Steven Slivka at sslivka@bouldercityreview.com or at 702-586-9401. Follow @StevenSlivka on Twitter.