LOCKPORT —
A faulty sewer line 25 feet beneath the street may be the cause of a sinkhole — 12 feet wide and 20 feet deep — that appeared Tuesday afternoon on South Transit Street, Mayor Michael Tucker said.
South Transit Street from Lincoln Avenue to Gaffney Road could be closed for the next few days until the sinkhole is mended, Tucker added.
Tucker said city officials were contacted about the sinkhole by a South Transit Street resident around 1 p.m. Tuesday, where Lockport Police initially closed northbound traffic on South Transit Street. Later Tuesday the entire road was closed due to safety concerns, Tucker said.
Lockport Police Lt. Shawn Kilroy said police will be directing traffic through detours around the city. All vehicles will be diverted to Route 31, or Gaffney Road or Summit Street. Only local traffic will be allowed to drive through the closed zoning area, and Lockport Plaza will also be open.
City of Lockport Director of Engineering Norm Allen said the sinkhole originated between the sidewalk and the curb on the east side of South Transit Street just north of Lincoln Avenue, but continued to cave into the northbound lane.
Tucker said the City of Lockport is working with the State Department of Transportation in fixing this area.
“It’s the city’s responsibility to get this fixed, but in most cases the state gives us money to fix it,” Tucker said. “Right now, our main concern is peoples’ safety so we’re asking everyone to stay away from the sinkhole.”
Tucker said South Transit Street from Lincoln Avenue to Gaffney Road could be closed until the end of the week, effecting about 10,000 commuters in that area.
No one was reported injured.
Local News
Related Photos
-
SINKHOLE: Lockport Police Chief Larry Eggert and other city officials examine a sinkhole on South Transit Street on Tuesday afternoon. The sinkhole is about 12 feet wide and 20 feet deep, possibly caused by a faulty sewer line, Mayor Mike Tucker said. Stephen Wallace/contributing photographer
-
THE HOLE: The sinkhole on South Transit Street on Tuesday is about 12 feet wide and 20 feet deep, possibly caused by a faulty sewer line, Mayor Mike Tucker said. South Transit Street from Lincoln Avenue to Gaffney Road is expected to be closed all week. Stephen Wallace/contributing photographer
Holy hole!
- Local News
-
-
Hot save for firefighters on Orchard Drive
No injuries reported in midday blaze.
-
Second suspect pleads
Man admits to first-degree manslaughter as an accomplice to murder.
-
A day to remember
Memorial Day ceremonies, parades planned for Tonawandas
- State AG warns of invoice scam
- No Headline Provided
- Man on the lookout for wedding clothes
- Second suspect pleads
- New program hopes to speed wait-times at Erie DMVs Clerk to implement "rain check" system for users who lacked all required documents on previous visit
-
Hochul returns from Afghanistan tour
Congresswoman touts contributions of female military members, Afghan civilians
-
Buffalo Suzuki Strings ensemble hitting the national stage
NT music school traveling to Minneapolis to perform at conference
- More Local News Headlines
-
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
