It’s unclear at this point when the main break will be repaired
that is clogging San Benito Street traffic. Workers later Wednesday
dug out a large section in the middle of San Benito Street at
Hawkins Street. As of 1:30 p.m. today, crews had found much of the
damage but were continuing to verify the precise extent, said Henry
Gonzales, utility supervisor for the city.
HOLLISTER
It’s unclear at this point when the main break will be repaired that is clogging San Benito Street traffic.
Public works crews are continuing to work on the main break – which occurred Wednesday morning – with the help of an outside contractor brought in for excavation of the road. Workers later Wednesday dug out a large section in the middle of San Benito Street at Hawkins Street. As of 1:30 p.m. today, crews had found much of the damage but were continuing to verify the precise extent, said Henry Gonzales, utility supervisor for the city.
Gonzales said he would be “guessing” if he estimated a completion time frame.
“It’s just a matter of time,” he said. “It’s something we’re competent in doing. It’ll get done.”
He explained how crews are dealing with a significant amount of “undermining” – or displacement of the dirt surrounding the piping. He also noted how they had to dig through 30 inches of concrete on San Benito Street, as opposed to about six inches for a normal residential road.
Gonzales estimated the replacement pipe for the main break should measure between 20 feet and 40 feet. After the damage is repaired, public works crews will backfill the hole with sand, make sure it’s compact, add some slurry and place six inches of concrete overlay on top of it, he said.
