Road Project Payments Withheld After Crack Found

ST. CLAIR (AP) - Some payments from the city of St. Clair to companies involved in a highway project are being withheld after a crack developed along the pavement.

The Times Herald in Port Huron reports that city officials are withholding several payments from the engineering firm and the designer until an explanation for the crack is received.

Councilman Mike LaPorte said "the way to get people's attention is to cut off the money."

Engineers have told the city that the pavement moved because soil beneath the road subsided.

The $225,000 project was to fix part of the highway where officials noticed settlement on the slope and soil slipping from beneath the roadway toward a river.

The designer said the city's best option for the winter is to seal the crack.

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