Workers with Niblock work on filling and grading the large hole on Market Street, just east of Wood Street. The street was expected to be reopened by 4:30 p.m. today.

WARSAW — A bump in the pavement caught the eye of city wastewater treatment workers and James Emans, city engineer. What they discovered averted a catastrophic disaster at the intersection of Market and Wood streets Wednesday afternoon.

The area was expected to be re-opened to traffic by 4:30 p.m. today, Friday, Oct. 16.

Emans informed the Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety of the emergency approval for labor and materials to repair what would have eventually been a crater large enough to fit a vehicle, had the street collapsed. The problem was found in the middle of the city street.

Emans reported the wastewater utility department discovered a sewer blockage, utilizing television equipment, after material was found in the line and evidence of a break in the pipe, east of the intersection. But that was not all they found. The road was moving.

Emans ordered the road closed due to the immediate danger of the infrastructure and public safety. Niblock, who is working on the East Main Street project, was contacted and found a cavity underneath the pavement eight feet deep and 10 feet by 10 feet in width. “The concrete road was the only thing holding it up.”

“We didn’t have the time to get two quotes,” said Emans, who with the backing of Jeff Beehler, street superintendent and Brian Davison, wastewater utility director, ordered the emergency repair. “A major problem was diverted … hole big enough to drop a car in.”

The repairs were completed and the street department will be resurfacing the area.

Emans explained further, after the meeting, stating it was a combination of little things that led to the discovery. “The sanitary sewer pipe failed and there were two storm inlets connections nearby. The failed sewer line was pulling material into the sewer.”

He explained he had observed a bump in the pavement Wednesday morning and knew something was changing under the street. Additionally wastewater crews who were sewer cleaning the pipes, noticed an abnormal amount of debris in the collection. “This was evidence something was out of the ordinary.”

The area was excavated and the cavity discovered. The only thing holding the road up was five inches of concrete roadway. Emans stated what had occurred was the rain water was flowing in and washing the material down the sanitary system.

The lines in that area are pre-1970 according to what was seen. “The equipment the the town bought, televising equipment, and the training of staff helped.” He noted without the investment of equipment and training, the problem would not have been noticed until the street failed.

Market and Wood was closed at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday with Niblock contractors on site Thursday morning and finishing up work late Friday afternoon.

“This is why we want residents to call us any time they recognize a change (in the street) or feel it is different than the day before. That indicates there is a problem,” said Emans. He added residents who utilize a street on a regular basis are able to recognize any changes in the street a lot quicker than those who occasionally use the the street.