Collapsed Sewer Is Behind Haddon Avenue Roadwork

This week might not have been the most peaceful for businesses at one section of Haddon Avenue. 

For those who managed to miss it, this week debuted some heavy-duty roadwork directly out front of , located at 627 Haddon Ave. 

According to Collingswood Borough Mayor James Maley, workers were enlisted to repair a problematic sewer. 

Borough commissioners approved an emergency resolution for sewer repairs during their Monday, June 6 meeting.

"This is an emergency contract for the repair of a sewer on Haddon Avenue," said Maley during Monday's meeting. "Work is underway right now to fix a collapsed sewer."

Maley said repairs to the collapsed sewer extend from the intersection of Woodlawn Avenue and Haddon Avenue, continuing to Harvard Avenue.

The distance between those points covers a one-block stretch of road.

The emergency resolution cited damage to a sewer main, which is the primary pipe found in most sewage systems, responsible for dispersing water, gas or electricity, and serving as a collection site for liquid and solid sewage.

Collingswood's official website cites the borough as being responsible for maintaining its "wastewater collection system." This system is comprised of below-ground storm and sewer lines, as well as sanitary lines. 

Collingswood's wastewater stopped being treated locally about 30 years ago, when Camden County required that it be redirected to a Camden City-based plant. 

According to borough reports, although water treatment became the responsibility of an outside plant, Collingswood's local sewer department remained in charge of maintaining all borough street mains and pumping stations.

This is why residents receive two separate sewer bills.

The borough still heads local sewer department maintenance today, illustrated by commissioners' recent emergency sewer repair resolution.

All week long, bulldozers and work crews have been digging up ground on Haddon Avenue. 

The roadwork has created a minor motor vehicle detour route, which leads drivers off of—and back onto—Haddon Avenue using side streets. 

"Work to the sewer should be completed fairly quickly," said Maley.