EASTHAMPTON — The city has declared a state of emergency to address the Ferry Street sinkhole as repair cost estimates have grown to nearly $500,000 and a timeline for the end of construction remains undetermined.
After the sinkhole formed on Oct. 1 shutting down Ferry Street, crews have been working on weekends and overnight to resolve the issue caused by a century-old, 7-foot-wide metal pipe that collapsed underneath the roadway. The state of emergency went into effect Oct. 8 and remains in place.
Mayor Salem Derby said there is no projected timeline for construction to end and the cost of repairs has grown to nearly half a million dollars.
“We’re hoping a maximum of four weeks. It could be a maximum of eight weeks. We don’t know what the maximum is,” Derby said in an interview with the Gazette Monday. “We’re working as fast as we can, and we’re trying to bring in every resource possible to make this go as quickly as we can.”
Old, mill-era infrastructure has made the ongoing repairs tedious and difficult, Derby said. Crews are working to secure the collapsed pipe by filling it with a sealant.
The pipe was constructed deep underground during Easthampton’s mill era before the 1900s. Because of this, crews have had to work around different utility lines installed above the pipe, including an Eversource gas main, Derby said.
Water pressure from Lower Mill Pond has also been a major issue, Fire Chief Christopher Norris said.
The Massachusetts Office of Dam Safety has been involved because a dam and canal next to the sinkhole were previously built for the mills to provide hydropower with water from the pond. There are two gates for the dam that used to open allowing water to flow into the canal.
To help secure the dam, canal and pipe, Norris said large metal sheets are being installed horizontally in the ground and the pond’s water level will be lowered to alleviate pressure. The city contracted with Geeleher Enterprises of Southampton and Tighe & Bond of Westfield for assistance. The state Department of Conservation and Recreation is also involved.
“The other day, pieces of sheet metal were driven down 30 feet in the ground to help relieve some pressure,” Derby said.
Construction impacts are being felt by residents across the area.
Traffic has been detoured to Lovefield Street, Clapp Street and Fort Hill Road as construction continues. Police Lt. Andrew Beaulieu posted a video on Facebook urging residents to proceed with caution through the area and to follow traffic laws on the detour.
The Manhan Rail Trail passing through Gosselin Drive is also closed.
According to the Easthampton Rod and Gun Club Facebook page, police have already issued 22 citations to drivers on the detour for traffic violations. The Gazette could not confirm this with Easthampton Police on Tuesday.
Additionally, Derby said a nearby water main was shut off because of potential erosion effects in the area. Several residents in the Ferry Street area have reported water discoloration after the main was shut off and Derby advised them to let the water run until the color returns to normal.
During construction, Norris said the city has been in contact with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. Once the sinkhole is resolved, the city plans to apply for funding from the state’s Disaster Relief and Resiliency Fund, which was formed with a $14 million appropriation in fiscal 2025.
“Certainly nothing is guaranteed but one of our goals will be to see if we’re eligible for cost reimbursements from that fund,” Norris said.
