Harper Closure Worth It

The closure of Harper Avenue between Bon Brae and Lakeland has forced drivers to re-route for nearly a week as federal officials hope to resolve the lingering PCB problems the city has faced for years.

The shutdown of the roadway was necessary for crews to remove a pipe officials from the Environmental Protection Agency believe is contaminated, and the possible source of the PCB issue that linger in the city.

For nearly two decades, the canals along Revere and Lange streets have had high readings of polychlorinated biphenyls, commonly known as PBCs., in the water.

PCB is chemical compound that was once commonly used throughout the world in a variety of applications.

However, widespread research quickly revealed the serious environmental and health risks associated with exposure and contamination to and of the compound.

This overwhelming research led to an effective ban on the substance in the 1970s.

That said, the waters in the Revere and Lange street canals continue to test high for toxic compound.

The removal of the pipe, officials say, can help turn this around, according to a press release issued late last week.

“Recently, EPA observed contaminated oil flowing from a pipe under Harper Avenue during the agency’s ongoing cleanup of the Ten Mile drain storm water system.”

The closure, although inconvenient for travelers along the busy roadway, as well as residents who have to detour their way through neighborhoods in many cases, is worth it.

“The citizens of St. Clair Shores shouldn’t have to deal with this PCB issue any longer,” Shores resident Rose-Ann Cuthery said. “If it takes a month to get it done, then it does. That’s dangerous stuff.”

Longtime Shores resident Stephania Musche agrees.

“Get it cleaned up,” she said. “It’s cost too much money for too many years just try and figure it out. My question is why it took so long to figure this out?”

“These people who bought on these canals paid extra for that feature when they bought their houses,” David Sustanskzi said. ”To think they have to be afraid the water can give them cancer is absurd. Fix it right.”

The replacement is expected to take about a month.