Cape Coral street sinking declared immediate danger as city plans repairs
CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
A Cape Coral street is sinking, which is prompting the city to declare the situation an immediate danger and plan emergency repairs.
The ground along Northwest 16th Terrace, near Chiquita Boulevard, has been sinking, with one driveway dropping by more than a foot. Barricades have been placed to stop traffic from passing through the affected area.
The city is set to vote Wednesday on emergency road repairs, which could cost up to $500,000 and will be funded by the gas tax. Officials warn that delaying repairs could worsen the sinking, threatening drivers and nearby properties.
Jack Johnson, a resident of Northwest Cape Coral, has been waiting for months to see the front of his home fixed. He first shared his concerns with Gulf Coast News in May, describing the worsening destruction.
The city has been investigating the cause of the sinking and conducted a subsurface survey in July. Engineers recommended pumping grout 40 feet deep to stabilize the soil underneath.
Johnson expressed hope that the stabilization efforts would help his driveway. “I think it’ll stabilize my driveway here, and if that happens and I can go ahead and hire a company to come in and tear out the concrete, for a new driveway,” he said.
Since the driveway is private property, Johnson and other homeowners are responsible for their own repairs. Johnson voiced frustration with the situation, saying, “I think if the city fix their portion that a year ago when I first told them about it, I wouldn’t have the problems I’m having.”
The city has bids out to two companies for the road repairs, but one company won’t be able to begin work until October. The city council’s decision on Wednesday will determine the next steps for addressing the sinking street.
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