FOLEY – Persistent road flooding on Baldwin County 12 south should be fixed following action by the Foley City Council.
The council voted to approve funding to replace a collapsed drainage pipe near Cottages on the Green. The collapsed pipe is in a position that makes repairs difficult. Two other pipes are very close to the line complicating the task of excavation and replacement, Darrell Russell, city street superintendent, said.
“We’re dealing with a lot of utilities that are very, very close,” Russell said.
He said the problem has been an issue for Foley crews for a long time.
“I’d really like some of my crews to sleep when it rains an inch and a half because we’ve got to go out and, maybe not close the road, but sign it off because it’s in pretty bad shape,” he said.
Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the repairs will improve drainage for residents in the area and drivers on County 12 south.
“It will facilitate the drainage on the north side,” Hellmich said. “It will keep it from backing up and causing issues in houses on that north side and east side.”
The mayor said the condition of the pipe makes it necessary to do the job now and not wait to put the expenses on the budget for an upcoming year.
Russell said the pipe was designed to last about 20 years and overdue for replacement. “I can’t even patch it,” he said.
Because the work requires special equipment and crews, the city will put the project out to bid.