Westminster, Colo. — In an effort to address persistent issues with sagging and settling roads in Westminster, the city council has enlisted a specialized law firm to investigate the underlying causes linked to recent infrastructure projects. The decision came after unanimous agreement during this week’s council meeting, where officials signed off on a $250,000 contract with Mill Construction Law LLC, a Denver-based firm known for its expertise in construction defects.
The investigation will focus on scrutinizing the integrity of almost one and a half miles of sewer pipes laid beneath key thoroughfares, including North Huron Street, Orchard Parkway, and avenues numbered 134th and 136th. These areas were part of the substantial $16 million North Huron Interceptor Sewer Replacement Project which commenced in the spring of 2020.
In the years following the project’s initiation, noticeable depressions began to appear on the surfaced roads above. City Engineer John Burke remarked on the issue, highlighting that these surface irregularities reflect deeper structural problems, notably after severe weather conditions exacerbate the soil displacement beneath.
One particularly affected site is Orchard Parkway, which, in 2023, witnessed an eight-inch dip that forced the temporary closure of the road and prompted immediate remedial actions. City documents reveal that the suspected cause of these disturbances is the supposedly inadequate compaction of the backfill used during the sewer system’s installation.
Despite the disturbances, there have currently been no reports of raw sewage leakage, which mitigates the immediate environmental or public health risks typically associated with such incidents. However, should the probe led by Mill Construction Law unearth negligence or failure to adhere to project specifications, the city might consider legal action against the contracting firm responsible for the work. The identity of the contractor has been withheld.
John W. Mill, the principal of the hired legal firm, brings two decades of experience in navigating and litigating construction-related disputes. Westminster officials noted that his engagement comes at a rate of $490 per hour, a figure that falls within the customary range for these services in the Denver area.
The contracted investigation not only serves as a corrective measure but as a proactive move to safeguard the city’s infrastructure investments and reassure residents about the commitment their elected officials have to maintaining safety and public trust in civic projects.
As the investigation progresses, further updates are expected to be shared with the public on the findings and any ensuing steps that Westminster might take, based on the legal and technical insights provided by Mill Construction Law. This move underscores the city’s determined approach to addressing and rectifying the infrastructural deficiencies that affect community residents and commuters alike.
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