Decatur closes another downtown street for sewer repairs

The staging area at East Howard Avenue and North Candler Street where Decatur is rebuilding a major portion of its ancient downtown stormwater system. Courtesy City of Decatur

The staging area at East Howard Avenue and North Candler Street where Decatur is rebuilding a major portion of its ancient downtown stormwater system. Courtesy City of Decatur

Decatur has closed down another section of East Howard Avenue, this time at the intersection with Barry Street, due to a crumbling sanitary sewer line. The terracotta line, at least a century old, needs immediate replacement and the intersection will be closed 4-6 weeks.

This is separate from the storm water upgrade that’s closed the East Howard/North Candler Street intersection for nearly a month. Deputy City Manager Hugh Saxon said North Candler should reopen in two weeks, before closing again for a month in early spring.

When the entire project finishes, probably in May, the city will have rebuilt a major portion of its ancient storm water system that flooded roads and property for years.