Harrisburg's North Fourth Street sinkholes have captured the attention of the city's two state legislators.
Freshman State Representative Patty Kim called the situation dire and promised state aid to help Harrisburg. She says the City knew about the old, deteriorating pipes underneath its roads. She says it"s a time bomb, knowing when and where the next road will collapse.
On Monday, two sinkholes had opened up in the street in the 2100 of North Fourth Street. Water, Sewer and gas lines burst. With no utility service, about 30 families were asked to leave their homes on New Year's Day. UGI quickly restored service.
But yesterday afternoon, crews working on the water and sewer were surprised when the weight of their 33-ton excavator caused the street to open up and drop the rig in a third, larger sinkhole.
Rep. Kim and Senator Rob Teplitz toured the neighborhood this afternoon.
Kim called on the Governor to move a transportation funding bill. The problem is so massive, the City can't handle it alone. "This is a perfect example that we need help. Rob and I are going to be working to get state money down to the local level because we can't afford it. For years and years we either misused our money on artifacts or we tried to pay our bills on a monthly basis and have ignored situations like this and here we are."
City Spokesman Bob Philbin told the state officials crews are working to repair the problems and get the residents home. "They're going to dig out from this location to the end of the large sinkhole to the north and replace the pipes in two phases. One is a temporary water piping then permanent water and sewer will come later. Temporary is about a week away. Permanent is about a month away."
Philbin doesnt have an estimated cost for the repairs. But he said it's definitely in the six-figure range.
Most residents are still out of their homes and some have moved in with family and friends. Others are living in motels.
A meeting is scheduled at the Church at Fourth and Maclay streets for 6 p.m. The meeting will lay out its recovery plan for the neighborhood.
Freshman State Representative Patty Kim called the situation dire and promised state aid to help Harrisburg. She says the City knew about the old, deteriorating pipes underneath its roads. She says it"s a time bomb, knowing when and where the next road will collapse.
On Monday, two sinkholes had opened up in the street in the 2100 of North Fourth Street. Water, Sewer and gas lines burst. With no utility service, about 30 families were asked to leave their homes on New Year's Day. UGI quickly restored service.
But yesterday afternoon, crews working on the water and sewer were surprised when the weight of their 33-ton excavator caused the street to open up and drop the rig in a third, larger sinkhole.
Rep. Kim and Senator Rob Teplitz toured the neighborhood this afternoon.
Kim called on the Governor to move a transportation funding bill. The problem is so massive, the City can't handle it alone. "This is a perfect example that we need help. Rob and I are going to be working to get state money down to the local level because we can't afford it. For years and years we either misused our money on artifacts or we tried to pay our bills on a monthly basis and have ignored situations like this and here we are."
City Spokesman Bob Philbin told the state officials crews are working to repair the problems and get the residents home. "They're going to dig out from this location to the end of the large sinkhole to the north and replace the pipes in two phases. One is a temporary water piping then permanent water and sewer will come later. Temporary is about a week away. Permanent is about a month away."
Philbin doesnt have an estimated cost for the repairs. But he said it's definitely in the six-figure range.
Most residents are still out of their homes and some have moved in with family and friends. Others are living in motels.
A meeting is scheduled at the Church at Fourth and Maclay streets for 6 p.m. The meeting will lay out its recovery plan for the neighborhood.