It's the sight of something unsettling to18 South Lubbock homes along 98th Street. Broken sidewalks are proof something is wrong with the ground underneath. "No problems with the homes, but it goes up the edge of the property," says Lubbock Mayor Marc McDougal.
The mayor says a contractor did not properly compact the dirt after a sewer line was installed. To fix it, the city will have to go back and dig a one and half mile long trench that is 45 feet deep and pack the dirt again. "Regardless of who started it, the city inspected it, ultimately the city signed off on it. The city has to own up to it. We don't expect any homeowners to be out financially," said McDougal.
Mayor McDougal says the city will inspect all 18 homes to see if the foundations are in jeopardy of shifting. And if there is a problem, McDougal says the city will go in and secure the foundations.
Some of the homeowners we talked to say they are pleased that the city is taking care of this problem. The city is expecting to spend one million to fix it, but it could wind up costing more. All the work should be completed in two years.
All content ©Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and KCBD, a Raycom Media Station. 