The price tag to fix a collapsed sewer line in Washington is $355,690.80. At Tuesday’s Washington City Council meeting the collapsed sewer under the railroad tracks on North 4th was discussed. According to City Administrator Brent Hinson, a void under the railroad tracks that was 10’ by 20’ and five feet deep was filled with gravel by railroad personnel and described the situation in a memo as “dangerous” and an “emergency manner.”

FOX Engineering estimated the repairs at nearly $345,000. The council had two options, either bid out a new project with the likelihood of not being complete before the school year starts, or since it is an emergency and as similar work is already being done on North 4th near Stewart Elementary School they could have a change order proposal to include the additional work.

The council voted 3-2 to move forward with the current contractor Cornerstone Excavating to rectify the situation for $355,690.80. Councilors Fran Stigers, Millie Youngquist, and Danielle Pettit-Majewski voted in favor of the motion to start work right away. Councilman Brendan DeLong abstained from voting on the measure. At this time the railroad crossing at North 4th is closed to traffic.