Macon-Bibb’s storm culverts need $30 million in repairs

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon-Bibb’s underground storm tunnel system needs work, according to the county’s SPLOST Coordinator Clay Murphey. 41NBC’s Alexa Rodriguez went underground Thursday to see the damage.

The storm culvert entrance at the corner of Second and Hazel Streets in Downtown Macon already has money set aside to be fixed because the county is moving forward with its Second Street Downtown Connector project. Murphey said the tunnel is between 130 and 150 years old.

Inside the storm culvert at the corner of Second and Hazel Streets.

“A lot of those bricks have fallen in, a lot of those bricks have collapsed and when the heavy rains come, particularly in the summertime, manholes lift off the ground,” explained Murphey.

Macon-Bibb wants to continue building on top of similar storm culverts throughout downtown.

“We’ll begin bridge construction probably within the next 60 to 90 days, building up Second Street. Before I can do that, I’ve got to make the repairs here,” said Murphey, motioning to the Second and Hazel Streets culvert.

Inside the tunnel you’ll find running water, previous attempts at repairs, and old clay pipes.

Macon hasn’t received rain in a few days, but there’s still water in the tunnel. Murphey explained it’s spring water that’s in a constant flow. When the county does get rain, Murphey said the water can completely fill the tunnel.

“As pipes get clogged, it causes the water to back up,” explained Murphey.

Murphey estimates he needs about $30 million to fix the downtown culverts if Macon-Bibb wants to keep renovating.

An old clay pipe in the storm culvert at the corner of Second and Hazel Streets.

“We’ve got to make provisions for the additional weight on top of this. There’s some concern that the additional weight would cause what’s here to collapse,” said Murphey, talking about the renovations the county plans to do at the corner of Second and Hazel Streets.

Macon-Bibb has enough money to fix the Second and Hazel Streets culvert. Murphey said construction will start in about 60 days. The county hopes to fix all of the downtown culverts with the 2018 SPLOST. Commissioners recently voted to begin the process of developing a project list for it.