Rocklin City Council Approves Work for Rocklin Sinkhole
The Rocklin City Council has approved emergency repairs on a portion of a busy road in Rocklin that has been damaged in the recent rain storm. Midas Avenue between Argonaut Avenue and 5th Street has been closed since January 16, 2023, due to a dangerous 12-foot wide sinkhole caused by stormwater.
What Caused the Sinkhole?
The extreme rain storms from early January caused stress to the culvert under the road that diverts water. This pressure caused water to infiltrate the surrounding soil and created dangerous conditions for pedestrians and vehicles. Underground water, fiber-optic, and gas utilities in the area were exposed, and crews are working to ensure the utilities are not affected.
How Soon Can Midas Avenue Be Repaired?
Midas Avenue is a high-traffic road that connects the dense residential Sunset Whitney area to Downtown Rocklin. In a recent council meeting, councilmembers said by declaring the damaged road as an emergency, the City can bypass the typical solicitation for bids and secure funding quicker for repair work.
Even with the expeditated emergency request, they are still looking at 10 to 12 weeks before repair can begin because a new concrete block culvert will need to be replaced under the road. The City was asked to do whatever possible to rush the process, including paying to speed up the creation of the concrete block culvert. An estimated cost to build the new concrete block has not been disclosed.
The Process of the Road Repair
Before city crews can repair the damage to the road, they must divert the current water flow, buy, build and install a new 12-foot by 10-foot culvert, and reconstruct the road. During the repairs, the Midas Avenue area will remain closed to vehicle and foot traffic. Crews constantly work behind the scenes to ensure the work is completed as soon as possible.
Active and Hazardous Site
The area where the sinkhole sits remains an active and hazardous construction zone. Residents and visitors are encouraged to take alternate routes to bypass the site. Traffic is being detoured to Sunset Boulevard from Third Street to the south and Whitney Boulevard to the north.
During the road closure, other changes have been made to manage traffic in the surrounding location. The timing of traffic lights has been adjusted at Whitney Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard to ease off traffic.
City officials are also preventing on-street parking on Midas Avenue in front of the new Starbucks at Sunset and Whitney to create another lane for vehicles turning left at the intersection and a potential pedestrian walkway at the closed road.
Defective and Dangerous Road Conditions
Defective and hazardous road conditions can cause traffic accidents resulting in severe injuries and deaths. Police and insurance companies rarely consider how a road design defect plays in causing tragic motor vehicle collisions. That’s why it is essential to consult an accident lawyer with knowledge of the law governing dangerous road conditions and design defects.
Inspecting the road and surrounding areas immediately after the accident is essential to preserve evidence and to determine whether hazardous road conditions, poor maintenance, or a design defect are at fault.
Types of Road Hazards and Defects
Dangerous or defective roadways include the following types of road conditions:
- Uneven pavement or potholes
- Poorly designed intersections
- Inadequate road lighting
- Failure of road maintenance
- Defective traffic lights
- Insufficient shoulder or median divider
- Missing road signs
- Inappropriate warning of road work
- Lack of guardrails
- Objects left on the road
- Pooling water
- Overgrown trees or vegetation
- Poorly marked construction zones
Who is Responsible for Your Injuries?
Every case is unique, and the site of the accident will determine who is responsible for maintaining the road. If your accident happened on a city or county-maintained roadway, you might file a claim against the local agency responsible for maintaining that road. If your accident occurred on a highway, you might file a lawsuit against CalTrans (California Department of Transportation).
If you have been injured in a car accident, and you believe it was caused by a defective or dangerous road condition, an experienced lawyer can help you obtain the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Watch the YouTube video below to learn how our injury lawyers can help you with your accident case.
Rocklin Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a personal injury attorney in Rocklin. Injuries in a traumatic accident can cause permanent complications. If you have been hurt in an accident in Rocklin due to someone else’s negligence, our legal team can help. Call our law firm at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice.
Our experienced injury lawyers at AutoAccident.com have served Rocklin and Placer County clients since 1982.
See a list of our successful verdicts and settlements.
Photo by Sandy Millar on Unsplash
cha llo [cs 813]