After sinkholes on 152 Street, Surrey launches urgent repairs to replace 24 sewer manholes damaged by corrosion. Work begins June, wraps by September.
A stretch of South Surrey’s 152 Street will soon undergo critical infrastructure repairs after two unexpected sinkholes appeared near 29A Avenue last October. The city has confirmed that deteriorated sanitary sewer manholes—damaged by severe hydrogen sulfide corrosion—were the root cause.
The corrosion triggered urgent emergency repairs last fall. Now, the City of Surrey is taking broader action by replacing or removing a total of 24 compromised manholes to avoid future collapses.
24 Manholes Targeted for Replacement or Removal
Following a thorough inspection, Surrey’s engineering team identified several high-risk manholes between 29 Avenue and King George Boulevard. Of the 24 in question, 12 will be fully replaced with corrosion-resistant, lined concrete manholes. The remaining 12 will be permanently removed to mitigate ongoing structural risks.
Surrey’s council approved the contract during its May 12 meeting. The project was awarded to J Cote & Son Excavating Ltd. for $1.73 million, with total authorization set at $1.91 million.
Engineering Oversight and Future-Proofing
To support the effort, council also approved a consulting agreement with R.F. Binnie & Associates Ltd. valued at $78,477, bringing total consulting authorization to $87,000. Surrey’s General Manager of Engineering, Scott Neuman, has been given the green light to execute both contracts.
During the council discussion, Mayor Brenda Locke asked about the typical lifespan of such manholes. Neuman clarified, “We don’t usually replace these for 60 years or more. But in this area, high hydrogen sulfide levels have eaten away at the concrete. That’s what caused the sinkholes.”
Work Scheduled for Summer Completion
Work is scheduled to begin this June and is expected to wrap by September. Funding will come from the 2025 Utilities Budget via the Infrastructure Reserve Fund.
The city’s proactive approach aims to restore safety and prevent further infrastructure failures in a critical corridor of South Surrey.
Stay tuned to Maple News Wire for ongoing updates on city infrastructure and community safety.
