Englewood sinkhole repair requires more work than expected

BY ELISABETH SLAY ESLAY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Further investigation has revealed the damage to the 87-inch-diameter stormwater pipeline under Oxford Avenue at Navajo Street that caused a sinkhole on June 22 is more extensive than the City of Englewood previously thought.

According to a statement from the city released July 24, this new development will change the repair e orts of the city. Completion of the construction is on track for mid-August. e statement said the damaged portion of the pipe is adjacent to the retaining wall near the Oxford Station apartment complex.

“ is requires a 108-inch-diameter casing pipe to be bored beneath the retaining wall to protect the wall and building from damage during the repair,” the release said. be replaced with a more reinforced concrete 87-inch-diameter pipe that will be installed through the new cas- casing pipe needed, a custom steel casing pipe must be fabricated to surround the new concrete pipe for added structural integrity as it travels below the adjacent retaining wall,” the statement reads. e amount of time taken to create this custom pipe material and the continued rainstorms are contributing to the delay of this project, which was originally estimated to be completed in late June or early July.

“ is repair project is very high priority, and the city and its contractor are working as quickly as possible to secure the necessary pipe materials, complete the repair and restore access to the roads,” the city said in its statement.

Public Works Director Victor Rachael said the contractor for the project has increased safety measures by placing more barriers and caution tape around the site.