SPANISH FORT, Ala.—The City Council awarded Asphalt Services Inc. a $40,000 public works contract for emergency stormwater sewer repairs in the Westminster Gates subdivision. The unanimous decision was reached just after 1 p.m. Monday during a special called meeting of the council to address the issue before additional inclement weather moved into the area late Tuesday afternoon.

City Engineer Martin Pitts said  excessive weekend rains caused shifting soil that “completely breached” a stormwater line 42 inches in diameter.

A substantial sinkhole formed between Westminster Gates Drive and Maury Court, exposing the sewer line running through the development and giving nearby residents a bird’s eye view of the almost 50-foot by 30-foot gorge plunging nearly 30 feet deep in their backyards.

“It’s a bloody mess,” said Joshanna Bhakta, whose back porch overlooks the muddy spectacle.

See the rest of this story in the April 2 Spanish Fort Sun.