Above-the-ground sewage pipes become a huge stink for residents and by-passers still, a year later. By Shae McCoy

Imagine getting used to taking a short cut to get to your favorite place and then not being able to take that way anymore for an entire year. That is the story of some of the Baltimore residents residing in the central downtown area. From Centre Street to part of Mulberry Street, these above-the-ground pipes have not only served as an eyesore to the public but a huge inconvenience to people who commute through the area. You might have seen them in your travels, and if you do not have to travel through there on foot, you may be the luckiest Baltimore resident there is.

Baltimore is sinking. According to City Paper, the cause of all of the underground issues are sinkholes which seem to be a problem that Downtown Baltimore has experienced for a long time. Last April, a sinkhole opened up on West Centre Street and the damages were major, causing Centre street to be closed off from 2016 and is still being worked on today. The sinkhole caused damage to a six-inch water main, B.G.E. lines, and storm water drains according to The Baltimore Sun. Months later, another sinkhole opened on Mulberry Street just blocks away from Centre Street.

Fast forward a year later, there’s a stench in the area and big black pipes above the ground still. There are ramps built so that by-passers can attempt to make way.  It reminds you of walking through a corn maze. What’s going on? What’s taking so long for the street to be repaired? The sinkhole/collapse that devastated Centre Street caused underground issues for the surrounding area and may have disrupted a 72-inch sewer line beneath the street. A Spiniello worker that was working on Mulberry Street confirmed that the above ground pipes were indeed connected to the sewage running underground. How much longer will the stink of a neighborhood be around? That could not be confirmed.

Sources:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/

http://www.citypaper.com/news/features/bcp-092816-sinkholes-feature-20160927-story.html