Amador County – Sutter Creek City Council approved repairs to a failure of the Gopher Gulch Canal two weeks ago, and then heard this week that the costs were doubling because of the extent of work needed.

City Manager Sean Rabe reported Monday that when the canal was excavated, it was found that the walls were crumbling, and were the cause of the canal’s failure and partial collapse early last month. The Gopher Gulch Canal runs under the sidewalk next to Gopher Flat Road, across the street from the Post Office. The breakage occurred and was excavated, removing the entire sidewalk almost the entire length between Boston Alley and Broad Street.

The project was originally slated to cost about $20,000 but the new contract adjustment will be for an estimated $40,000. City Engineer Grant Reynolds said the canal needed to have its failing walls replaced with concrete walls. On Monday, the worksite was excavated, with rebar installed and forms built along about three-quarters of the length of the canal.

On July 18, the Sutter Creek City Council considered declaring an emergency for the repairs on the canal, which carries the Gopher Gulch Creek under ground, and across town. Rabe reported that on July 14, the concrete between Boston Alley and Broad Street fractured and collapsed, leaving a 2 by 2 foot hole in two places. He said “staff determined it was an emergency because of health and human safety issues, especially since it is a route to school, which opens Aug. 15.” He said it was estimated to cost $20,000 to fix.

The Council voted 5-0 to declare the emergency, dispensing with “the city practice to go out to bid,” due to the emergency, and authorized the city manager to hire Amador Mechanical Incorporated to complete the repair, at a cost not to exceed $21,000.

Rabe reported Monday that the costs of the repair were estimated to be $40,000, after the engineer and Amador Mechanical opened the canal and assessed the damage and work needed. The City Council held a special meeting last Wednesday (July 27) to discuss and approve increasing spending authority for emergency repairs on Gopher Gulch canal failure.

Mayor Tim Murphy said Monday he was surprised the project cost was not twice as much.

Rabe said the contractor was still shooting to finish the project by Aug. 14, before the school year starts.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.