A sinkhole behind the retaining wall at Lock 20 – Narrowsville, is behind the lowering of water in the north end of the canal. Work began in late April and is proceeding. The canal has not announced a projected completion date. The picture below is from this morning, 5/29/19, by Pete Rosswaag, a member of the Friends of the Delaware Canal.
Pete Rosswaag of the Friends of the Delaware Canal recently posted this update of the repairs taking place along the Delaware and Lehigh Canal State Park. Photos are courtesy of Carole Mebus, longtime member of the FODC.
Kleinhans (aka Fry’s Run) Aqueduct: DCNR has reviewed the consultant’s final design submission, and the consultant is now preparing the final plans. Possible delays might involve securing a highway occupancy permit and bog turtle habitat. DCNR hopes to have the project underway in 2018.
Sub-canal culvert near Canal Cup south of Easton: The Park must coordinate with PennDOT to fix the Rt.611 and canal sinkholes simultaneously. Bi-State Construction is prepared to undertake the Park’s portion of the project. Work commenced Monday, 4/23. It is anticipated that the repair will take 1-1/2 months to complete. The flow in the canal from the Lehigh River at Easton has been shut down in order not to make the problems worse.
The “12 Bridge Replacement Project” (actually bridges and culverts) is in design. Preliminary plans for the Canal Lane bridge in Upper Black Eddy, the Raubsville culvert north of Groundhog Lock, and Bridge 4 in Smithtown have been produced and are out for review.
Good news: A large sinkhole north of Mueller’s Store in Raubsville was repaired using 27 yards of flowable fill. Eroding towpath banks were also repaired; fallen tree removal is underway with the help of Bi-State.
Not-so-good news: New sinkhole south of Mulligan’s bridge in Upper Black Eddy; new sinkhole south of Mountainside Inn.
Groundhog Lock: The wall between Rt. 611 and the canal south of the lock has a collapsing section.
Clean-Up Day: The Friends of the Delaware Canal (FODC) had another successful Clean-Up Day last Saturday. Thanks to all who helped and thanks to all who are members of this vital and much-needed organization.
The deliberations on how to repair the collapse of the beautiful 1840 stone arch tunnel that carries High Falls Creek under the canal, which has caused the loss of water through UBE (and points south) since March 29th, have been completed.
The scope of the project expanded in July when it was discovered that the repairs to the collapsed portion would not be sufficient, as the remainder of the 175-year-old stone culvert was not structurally sound.
The consultant, Bi-State Construction of Easton, PA., has determined that a metal sleeve can be inserted the whole length of the stone arch culvert, serving as a permanent repair. This allows the project to move forward as a maintenance project, without having to proceed through a time-consuming new permitting/design process. An Erosion and Sedimentation (E&S) plan will need to be submitted for County approval, though. Park Manager Rick Dalton is optimistic about this development, but cautious about announcing a timeline for repair completion until the E&S plan is approved, which will then trigger the review of the newly developed repair plans.
The construction of temporary repairs on the 1840 High Falls Creek arch tunnel which collapsed March 29th have begun, according to Park Superintendent Rick Dalton. The aim of these interim repairs is to provide for filling the canal and reopening the towpath as the longer-term permanent project, which must go through the state design and bidding process, runs it’s course,
Superintendent Dalton describes the work so far:
An access crossing of the canal has been constructed, with the ramp down into the culvert completed. Footers have been formed and concrete has been poured on both sides. A curved steel plate has been ordered to span the breech. When manufactured and delivered it will be placed and secured over the culvert. The area will then be back-filled, the towpath rebuilt and refilling of the canal will be attempted.
DCNR has appropriated funds for the repairs, according to Mr. Dalton. The Friends of the Delaware Canal (http://www.fodc.org/) have provided substantial financial support for this project, as well. Bi State Construction Co., Inc. of Easton, PA will execute the temporary repairs.
