Collection Systems

California Sinkhole Leads to Street Closure

A major street has closed after a large sinkhole was report in Torrance, Calif.

Jan. 15, 2019
2 min read

A sinkhole at the site of a water main break in a part of Torrance, Calif., has led to a street closure expected to last a week.

According to Assistant Torrance Fire Chief Carl Besanceney, the sinkhole was reported on Jan. 12 on Van Ness Avenue between Dominguez and Arlington Avenue. The street remained closed on both sides as crews continued repair work, according to The Daily Breeze.

Besanceney said Van Ness is a major feeder for businesses on weekdays. The city’s street department will delay the repair work for about a week because of upcoming storms.

The Fire Department tweeted all lanes on Van Ness Avenue will remain closed between Dominguez and Cravens Ave. until Jan. 19.

According to Besanceney, the sinkhole had grown to 20 ft by 30 ft as of Sunday morning on the southbound side. There was a residual effect on the northbound side. The broken water main was about 15-in. In diameter, according to The Daily Breeze.

The water service has been rerouted while the water main is being repaired and no customers were affected, according to Besanceney.

The city of Torrance tweeted out ways to get around the closed street on Sunday night. Northbound and southbound drivers should use Western Avenue or Crenshaw Boulevard as alternate routes. Eastbound and westbound drivers are advised to take Del Amo or Torrance boulevards.

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