Crews repair 15-foot-deep sewer collapse near downtown Louisville, Ky.
(UI) — A major sewer collapse caused a large hole to open up on Campbell Street near downtown Louisville, prompting extensive repair efforts, according to WDRB Louisville.
The Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) reported that the incident, which occurred on July 15, led to the closure of Campbell Street between Liberty and Jefferson Streets, along with lane closures on Jefferson Street, as reported by WDRB Louisville.
MSD crews have been working to replace a 27-inch brick sewer line, installed in 1902, by digging down 15 feet. They are also updating the old brick manhole with a modern concrete one.
The problem was detected when Louisville Water crews found a void beneath the pavement on Campbell Street, likely caused by soil erosion from recent rains.
MSD manages over 3,600 miles of sewer lines, many of which are over 75 years old, including 43 miles of brick lines.
To address infrastructure needs, the Metropolitan Sewer District announced a 6.9% rate hike in May. Starting August 1, this will increase the average monthly residential bill by $5.19 in Jefferson County and $3.74 in Oldham County. A 30% discount will still be available for qualified low-income households.
The 2025 fiscal year budget includes over $298.8 million for 208 projects aimed at upgrading sewer, flood protection, and drainage systems. Some pipes date back to the 1860s, and many facilities still use technology from the 1950s, underscoring the necessity for these updates.
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