“The pipes (on Steilacoom Blvd between Lakewood Dr. and Bridgeport) are carrying 3 million gallons of sewage per day as bypass for the collapsed main beneath Steilacoom Blvd,” wrote City of Lakewood’s Jim Kopriva.
The above answer from Jim came as a result of my forwarding an email from a Suburban Times reader who asked why the pipes were in the middle of Steilacoom Blvd.
From the Lakewood City Manager’s weekly bulletin, “On Tuesday, July 21, a sewer main collapsed beneath Steilacoom Blvd. The main is over 25 feet below the road surface, so a significant repair is required. A temporary bypass is set up on the surface. Pierce County crews are still planning a more permanent repair. “
From the Pierce County website:
Current Status
Pierce County installed a temporary emergency bypass system to prevent further overflows in the streets. Cleanup operations of the affected areas, including the storm system, are also complete.
Crews placed steel plates on Steilacoom Boulevard in the area of the pipe collapse as a precautionary measure. The plates will remain on the roadway until repairs are completed. A long-term bypass is designed, and construction is anticipated to start in mid-August when all necessary equipment and materials arrive on site.
This bypass will shift the large pump equipment from the roadway to the south side of Steilacoom Boulevard behind the sidewalk. A repair project is also designed, and the construction is being coordinated with the City of Lakewood. Start date for the repair project will depend on availability of materials.
Traffic Impacts
The roads are open to local businesses and residents, but please drive with caution and expect occasional traffic delays throughout the area as monitoring of the site, pumps and equipment is necessary. Notice of future traffic impacts during the long-term bypass and repair projects will be provided.
Health & Safety
There were no sewer service disruptions due to this event. There were no issues concerning drinking water or flushing of toilets.
We continue to work closely with the Washington State Department of Ecology, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD), and the Pierce County Surface Water Management Division.
Beach closures remain in place at Sunnyside Beach Park, Chambers Creek Regional Park, Kobayashi Park, Chamber Bay Park, and the public access points at Chambers Creek Canyon. Please visit the TPCHD’s website to learn more. The trails at Pierce County Parks are open. Please do not come into contact with any water on the trail system until further notice.
Thank you for the information. Was wondering what happened.
I have to admit, the title caught my eye. As you noted, this was brought up in the Weekly Lakewood Bulletin and in a timely manner. However, seeing “Weekly Bulletin” each week is not much of an interest grabber. It would be nice to see a few bullets for citizen interests.
Thanks for the feedback Betty. I’ll do what I can. Thanks for reading The Suburban Times.
Thanks for all the information on Steilacoom Blvd and the sewer pipes. I am the one who originally asked the Suburban Times what was going on with all that equiopment that has been on the road for nearly a month now.
When is the projected completion date?
“Start date for the repair project will depend on availability of materials.” I can only assume that once the County has secured the needed materials they can better project the completion date.