The problem: A Tuscany-Canterbury sewer project has stretched more than two months past its originally posted completion date.
The backstory: Carol Gamble lives in The Colonnade on University Parkway at Canterbury Road, one street east of Linkwood Road. Linkwood has been closed since April, when a construction project began. Originally a "Road Closed" sign there indicated that the project would be completed by July 14.
However, as that date approached, the specific date disappeared from the sign, and work has continued until the present, more than two months since that original completion date.
Canterbury Road is narrow but open to two-way traffic, which has increased because of the construction.
Gamble appreciated that most of the work began while the Johns Hopkins University was not in session so that traffic in the neighborhood was reduced. Huge sewer pipes have been resting above ground for months, she said. "They do seem to be working," Gamble said, although she didn't know whom to call for an update on the project.
The construction turns out to be the Lower Stony Run Interceptor, a two-year, $40 million project, said Department of Public Works spokesman Kurt Kocher. The work includes 2,900 feet of 8- to 24-inch sewer piping installed by opening the street, as well as more than a mile of 60-inch pipe installed by a tunneling method, he said.
"The problem with tunneling is that sometimes, no matter how many surveys you make, you will run into some unforeseen circumstances," Kocher said.
At Linkwood Road, contractors encountered unexpected rock. In a more remote area, workers would try blasting, but there are a lot of utilities nearby, Kocher said. "You don't want to do anything that will disturb that," he said.
They hope to complete the work by late winter and reopen the road by early 2009, Kocher said.
Public Works sends letters about construction to individuals in affected neighborhoods and to community associations, but it's unlikely that the organization was informed of the delay, Kocher said.
Who can fix this: To find out more about a construction project in Baltimore, call 311. Kocher said the operators will be able to help callers identify who is responsible for which project.
update
A permanent replacement for the vandalized sign at Digital Harbor High School was installed last week, a Baltimore schools facilities official said. The sign, which remained posted in its vandalized state for more than two years, instructed school staff to "visibly display" their posteriors in their windshields. The sign was also rewritten to discourage further damage. It now directs drivers to "visibly display permit in windshield of vehicle."
