Early on the morning of April 23 a large section of roadway collapsed in the 100 block of West Centre Street in the Mt. Vernon neighborhood of Baltimore. The cause of the collapse was a failure of a 72-inch sewer line, specifically a 4-foot hole in the top. The roadway was quickly stabilized and the sewer was bypassed with temporary piping. The purpose of the bypass was to reduce the flow in the main and allow for examination using closed circuit television (CCTV).

This line is 100 years old, with previous failures on Park Avenue in 1997 and 2012. Therefore, with the bypass in place, it was deemed best to rehabilitate it with cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining to eliminate the possibility of another failure at this location.

Before lining the pipe, it needs to be cleaned as it is half filled with debris. DPW contractors dug down to the pipe where the collapse is located, cut open the top of the pipe around the collapse, and began the cleaning task. This is performed using a small bobcat in the sewer pipe which dumps the debris into an excavator bucket. Cleaning is expected to be completed early next week.

Once we complete the cleaning and CIPP lining of approximately 1,100 linear feet of the sewer, from the 100 block of W. Center Street to the intersection of Park Avenue and W. Mulberry Street, we will repair the top of the pipe where the opening is located.

BGE had work scheduled on Centre Street before the collapse occurred. DPW is coordinating with them so that they can complete their work before paving is done. In addition, an 18-inch water main will be replaced, and a 33-inch storm drain repaired, while the hole is open.  

Based on current schedule, the road is anticipated to be reopened in late July, weather permitting, and based on 24/7 schedule for cleaning and lining.