EMPORIA (KSNT) – New details are emerging after a sinkhole forced a street closure in downtown Emporia over the weekend.
According to the City of Emporia’s Engineering Department, the collapse is believed to be connected to a failure in an aging storm sewer pipe. City engineer Jim Ubert said the pipe in that area dates back roughly 100 to 125 years, making it more than a century old.
The Emporia Police Department confirmed a patrol vehicle fell into the sinkhole as it formed. Captain Ray Mattas with the EPD said the officer had been turning around in a nearby parking lot, when the ground suddenly gave way. The patrol car had to be towed from the scene, but the officer was not injured.
The sinkhole appeared on Sunday, March 29 at Commercial Street between Ninth and 10th Avenue. Emporia officials previously reported that a 44-inch storm sewer and a 10-inch waterline were going to be evaluated starting Monday. City officials said the road will remain closed as crews work to better understand the scope of the damage and develop a repair plan.
Ubert said crews have not yet begun repairs as they continue evaluating the situation. That process includes inspecting the pipe both upstream and downstream to determine the overall condition and whether the damage extends beyond the initial collapse.
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Officials encourage drivers to avoid the area while the investigation continues.
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