Public Works & Utilities

Project Status:

Completed Phase

Project Overview:

Following a city-wide inspection and condition reporting of five of Duluth's Hillside Creek systems, City of Duluth Public Works & Utilities and LHB identified portions of Bucking ham Creek for culvert rehabilitation based on sever structural deficiencies observed during inspection.

Buckingham runs through Duluth's hillside via 16 individual creek structure segments. The portion of the creek running beneath W 5th St between N 9th Ave W and N 10th Ave W was one of the second locations programmed for rehabilitation due to significant brick loss in the culvert's roof. 

Due to leaky waterline adjacent to the structure, water poured through the walls of this section for an unknown length of time which degraded brick and compromised the structural integrity of the culvert. Upon repair of the leaky watermain, culvert repairs were completed and consisted of the construction of a scour wall and metal plate arch lining and grouting at the areas of significant loss. During an early spring melt event, water was seen heavily pouring through the bluestone wall. Since the site was requiring excavation to reconstruct portions of the brick arch, it was decided during construction to add scope to the project consisting of constructing a sealant wall with a weep hole to relieve hyrdostatic pressure outside of the wall.

The work was completed over the winter and spring of 2025. Construction in the winter allowed for the work to be completed under low flow conditions, removing some of the risks of flashy storm events common in the summer seasons. Heating of the culverts to complete the work offset costs of expensive dewatering and stream diversion.

Funding Source:

City stormwater fee.