Traffic down Hamlet Avenue, crossing Raleigh Street, hasn’t been affected too much, according to the Department of Transportation. Construction began on Hwy. 74 in East Hamlet nearly two weeks ago. Construction crews started replacing a collapsed sewer line.
Rerouting traffic down Hamlet Avenue may continue a bit longer because of sewer line work on Hwy. 74 in Hamlet.
Benny Billingsley, utility supervisor with the City of Hamlet, says some unexpected issues could delay the project for a couple of days.
“We’re having some problems with infiltration from springheads underneath the road,” Billingsley said Monday.
Springheads are small, naturally occurring ground water aquifers stemming from a nearby water source. The springheads are causing an unforeseen dampness near the top of the road and the paving contractor said he’s “uncomfortable” paving over it.
Billinglsey said they may have to dig up dirt near the last part of the project near Bridges Street to do something to stop the seepage.
“Other than that, everything went together well,” Billingsley said. “The contractors worked over the weekend (to finish the project).”
The sewage is flowing properly, according to Billingsley, and crews were planning to begin paving the road Tuesday morning until the water became a problem.
The paving process could possibly finish up by the end of this week or Monday, but that’s dependent on how long it takes to dig up the back-fill and place the screen.
Some 375 feet of new pipe was laid under the Hwy. 74 stretching from Boyd Lake Road up towards Bridges Street in East Hamlet.
Andy Cochran, county maintenance engineer with the DOT said there are no issues stemming from the rerouting of traffic down Hamlet Avenue.
“The city is responsible for the work and keeping up with the zone,” Cochran said.
Some Hamlet Avenue businesses reported no big problems since the traffic has been rerouted down Hamlet Avenue.
“Nothing has really changed,” said Carnie McDonald, manager of Ace Hardware on Hamlet Avenue. “Trains coming through might back up traffic for a little bit. When you get things improved, it takes some time. The city is doing a good job of getting it all squared away.”
The final completion date is not known and neither is the full amount of the project, according to Billingsley.
Staff writer Bryan Stewart can be reached at 997-3111 ext. 15 or by e-mail at bstewart@yourdailyjournal.com.
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