CLOSURE ALERT UPDATE: Sewer problem shuts down part of 45th SW; city says it’s not theirs

| Utilities | West Seattle news

(WSB photo)

10:26 AM: Thanks for the tips! 45th SW is closed just north of SW Edmunds [map] because of a sinkhole blamed on a sewer problem. City crews are currently checking out the pipe’s condition as well as the condition of the street surrounding it.

(Reader photo)

A crew member on site told us they expect the closure to last at least a day. We’ll add anything more we find out.

(Reader photo)

5:58 PM: At day’s end, an SPU spokesperson sent us this update:

SPU crews conducted a thorough inspection and found no issues with the public sewer main. The sinking roadway panels that are impacting traffic on 45th Avenue SW near SW Edmunds may be caused by a privately-owned side sewer. The location is restricted to local access only at this time. SPU is in the process of contacting private-property owner(s) to determine next steps. More information about side sewers and their maintenance can be found on our website at https://www.seattle.gov/utilities/your-services/sewer-and-drainage/side-sewers

Gee, West Seattle April 3, 2025 (11:34 am)

It’s almost as if West Seattle should proactively repair its ancient sewer system while able to plan for it rather than just waiting for roads to develop sinkholes and fail!

k April 3, 2025 (4:17 pm)

People get whiny if you try to improve infrastructure before there’s a crisis that unequivocally proves the improvement is 100% necessary for the safety and well-being of everyone in humanity. See also: light rail.

Jeff April 3, 2025 (11:34 am)

Maybe it will help people stop blowing the stop sign at 45th and Edmunds northbound.

T April 4, 2025 (4:58 am)

Agreed! Someone almost hit me, doing just that, last week, as I was driving west on Edmunds!

Carson April 3, 2025 (12:40 pm)

It looks like the leak was under asphalt not concrete. That would indicate work was done there recently

Jon Wright April 3, 2025 (1:08 pm)

It was asphalt on top of a concrete panel. Perhaps from a prior attempt to level a sagging panel? The panel failed and there was a substantial void underneath (that smelled really nasty).

Chemist April 3, 2025 (12:40 pm)

Oh, when I drove through there on Tuesday evening I wondered why that large patch of asphalt had a several inch dip in it. It was enough to decently jostle my car. I thought it was sinking of one of those poorly packed temporary patches associated with sewer work/new construction.

AK April 3, 2025 (2:29 pm)

They just built the house there and there was work done under that street, but it seems they did not do it correctly!

Mel Odorous April 3, 2025 (5:17 pm)

I walked by and took a sniff.
Sewer leak where the line from up hill east side (not the new home) attaches to sewer main is what the workers indicated.
- WSB April 3, 2025 (6:17 pm)
  
  SPU says it’s not their line (see update above).
  - Mel Odorus April 3, 2025 (8:27 pm)
    
    Correct.
    Homeowners are responsible for (their) sewer line under ROW of the sidewalk and street to saddle pipe clamp connection at the city’s sewer main.
    The property owner is facing an expensive repair.

ACG April 3, 2025 (6:01 pm)

Almost drove over that sinkhole this morning. It definitely worsened within the last week!

GHO April 3, 2025 (6:28 pm)

I feel like I’ve also seen a suspicious dip in the street/sidewalk nearby (sw corner of 45th & Edmunds?)

BJG April 4, 2025 (11:41 am)

There is another sag in 45th just south of Edmunds. It’s been filled 2-3 times and sags again. Perhaps you’ve hit it too. Also could flat a low profile tire or loosen your teeth. Find it Fix it is useless.

BDJ April 3, 2025 (9:17 pm)

Oh my. I feel sorry for the homeowner who has to pay for this repair. Just having a sewer re-lined is costly. When the repair includes work in the street like this repair will, it will be more expensive. Then add in the cost to repair the street, it would be difficult for most people to have this unexpected expense. The condition of all of the Seattle sewer and water lines are old and often failing. I don’t understand how the City officials expect them to handle all the new construction they will allow with the recent updated zoning changes allowing more homes to be built on previously single family property.

T April 4, 2025 (5:02 am)

This line is in front of a new single-family home (and it may be from the old home across the street). It is not the multiple units that are on the north end of that block.
Jeff April 4, 2025 (9:57 am)

Side sewer repair is an expensive job, but fully on the homeowners. Mine is 80 years old, and sooner or later I know I’m going to have a $30k bill over that due to the depth of the line and all the other factors. Just part of owning a house, and it’s the owners responsibility to be prepared for it.
- Mel Odorous April 4, 2025 (2:57 pm)
  
  Or you could spend a couple thousand now to have your sewer line sleeved all the way to the main.
  This new system is now common for sales of older homes.
  Sewer camera scopes now allow home buyers to see the condition of the old, likely cracked, deteriorating concrete sewer line.