Engineers have been given the go ahead to study a deteriorated portion of East Main Street in Bradford, in working to find a fix for the crumbling section of municipal infrastructure.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Bradford City Council unanimously approved a $2,300 topographical study meant to identify a solution for deteriorating roadway and retaining wall conditions on the west side of East Main Street, just north the Fraternal Order of Eagles at 49 E. Main St. The study was commissioned after city workers at the location observed shifting pavement and cracking where the pavement meets the curb.

“There has been some deterioration and washout of materials. The retaining wall that holds the pavement is starting to crack,” said City Clerk John Peterson, who added that a wooden sidewalk is “not the issue.”

Based on the findings of the upcoming study, engineers will recommended a solution for the problem, which city officials say has been ongoing for years.

Peterson maintains the roadway is not in danger of collapsing. He said a road closure is not anticipated but could be necessary depending on what “course of action” city engineers recommend.  

“In the city engineering study they’re going to look at earth conditions and whether the retaining wall has shifted or has any leanings and give a recommended course of action, whether that means reconstruction of the wall, additional support of the wall or filling the roadway,” Peterson said.

The study had yet to commence on Wednesday. Once started, engineers have four weeks to complete their examination. No timetable exists beyond that.

Mayor Tom Riel hopes to have study findings before council by its June meeting and is looking forward to pursuing a more formal and permanent solution for the ongoing problem.

“There has been an issue there for quite some time, deemed to not be immediate but the threat continues to get worse,” Riel said on Wednesday afternoon.

Peterson also said the issue has been persistent for years and was likely exacerbated by this past winter’s extreme cold and dramatic temperature fluctuations.

“There’s been issues there for several years but it’s gotten worse this year. This winter probably caused a little more deterioration than we have seen in recent years,” Peterson said.