Water line replacement project produces unexpected problems

The replacement of water lines on a portion of Evaline resulted in a two-month wait for the street to be repaved and opened back up. The street is now partially open, and repaving of the street could be done by the end of this week or next – or maybe not until next year because of a cement shortage.

By Charles Sercombe
Blame it on a lack of concrete.
That’s the reason why Evaline, between Jos. Campau and Gallagher, had been blocked off.
Noticed we said “had been.”
That’s because a few days ago part of the street was finally opened to allow traffic to get through.
That portion of the street recently had the old lead water lines to homes replaced, a job that is now done.
But there is a concrete shortage, and that was holding up the reopening of the streets.
“This is an ongoing thing with supply and demand,” said Bill Diamond, the Director of Public Services.
But there is a good chance, he said, that the portions of the street that were cut out can be resurfaced by this end of this week or next.
The clock is ticking if the city’s contractor cannot get cement. Within the next couple of months, cold weather will prevent the pouring of cement.
So, Diamond said, the “worst case scenario” is that gravel will fill the cutouts on the street, which will then have to be scooped back out later when concrete-pouring season returns in the spring.
The project is part of an overall plan to replace all the lead water lines to homes.
It has been estimated in the past that the cost to replace all the lead lines in the city is about $55 million – or $10,500 per household.
Funding, so far, has come from the federal infrastructure bill and other sources, although it’s not clear whether there is funding to replace all of the city’s residential lead lines.
In the meantime, residents along Evaline have been complaining about not being able to park.
At Suzy’s Bar, just down the street from Jos. Campau, owner Susan Briskey said the two-month street closure has been rough, financially-speaking.
“When most folks see a street blocked off, they go to another place. … But I went into the hole,” she said.
It has been so bad that her friends held a fundraiser at the bar last Friday.
Despite the setback, Briskey said “Of course the job had to be done.”
So why the concern over lead-lined water lines?
Hamtramck has had a history of high lead content in its water, for at least some houses.
High levels of lead in the water greatly affects children and their mental development.
You can have your lead levels checked at home for free by calling the county medical clinic at (313) 871-1926.
Posted Oct. 8, 2022