Repaving of Damaged Yakima Avenue Sections to begin Next Wednesday

Next Wednesday, Columbia Asphalt & Gravel, Inc. (“Columbia”), a Yakima-based contracting firm, will begin repaving sections of Yakima Avenue between 1st Street and 2nd Street that were damaged as a result of a water main break that occurred last Saturday.

The project to fix the damage done to the roadway began yesterday when City crews started the process of grinding and removing asphalt in most of the two westbound lanes of the one-block section of Yakima Avenue affected by the water line break. Asphalt in the parking strip on the north side of the block and in parts of the two eastbound lanes will also be removed and replaced.

Today, Yakima-based Ken Leingang Excavating, Inc. started work on removing a one-block section of old water pipe and replacing it with new pipe. An approximately 10-foot crack in a section of the old pipe, which is buried below the road surface, resulted in water flowing through the street’s subbase, across the road and the adjacent sidewalk, and even into some nearby buildings. While the cracked section of pipe was removed and replaced on Saturday, City officials have decided to replace the entire one-block section of pipe to avoid future leaks that could develop in the old pipe. Installation of the new water pipe is expected to be finished this weekend.

Columbia will also be repairing a portion of sidewalk that collapsed as a result of the break. Predicted wet weather may slow the road and sidewalk repair project, but the targeted completion date is November 12th.

Columbia’s bid ($100,972) is in line with initial estimates which indicated repairs to the roadway and sidewalk could about $100,000. However, if the subbase damage is more extensive than it now appears to be, repair costs could be higher. Installation of the new water pipe has added about $50,000 to the cost of the project. A capital fund specifically used for projects related to the water system will cover the cost of the road repairs installing the new water pipe

Businesses located on both sides of Yakima Avenue are open now and will remain open throughout the project. Yakima Avenue between 1st Street and 2nd Street will remain closed until repairs are completed.

Downtown Yakima Water Main Break – News Release