Traffic may clog after sewer line collapses under intersection

Modesto motorists can expect a major traffic headache as workers replace a collapsed sewer line at McHenry and Roseburg avenues.

The sewer line runs underneath the intersection, and the city will set up a bypass to divert the wastewater that normally flows through the sewer line. Modesto will limit traffic at the intersection while the repairs are being made, according to Robert Englent, the city’s wastewater collections systems manager.

Englent said the repairs are expected to start after Wednesday morning’s commute and should take about 48 hours.

McHenry has two northbound and two southbound lanes at Roseburg. Englent said the city will funnel traffic in each direction into one lane at the intersection to keep McHenry traffic flowing.

He said Modesto will alternate closing one side of Roseburg at McHenry and allowing right turns on the other side, depending upon where the repairs are being made at the intersection.

The city discovered the collapsed sewer line Monday night, and workers tried to clear it. Englent said workers also inspected the sewer line with closed circuit TV. He said the wastewater from the collapsed line has not overflowed onto the road from two nearby manholes.

This story was originally published November 1, 2016 at 8:41 PM with the headline "Traffic may clog after sewer line collapses under intersection."