Final Work on Sinkhole Restoration Planned Thursday

Photo: File photo of repair work

UNION CITY, CA - The long saga of the sinkhole is finally coming to an end. Crews are scheduled to return for completion of final lane and crosswalk striping on Thursday.

The sinkhole appeared last October 14, causing extensive damage to a 33-inch diameter sewer pipe that runs 20 feet below Alvarado Boulevardy. A manhole in the area was also damaged when the sinkhole occurred, as were other utilities.

The road was finally reopened to traffic last Thursday, April 14.

Union Sanitary District's repair work was hampered by difficult soil and groundwater conditions. The District stabilized the site by pumping a large amount of groundwater out of the area.

USD General Manager Paul Eldredge said, “We appreciate the public’s patience during our efforts to protect the safety of motorists and others in the area while performing difficult and complex work. The District also thanks the City of Union City, New Haven Unified School District and the Alameda County fire department for their support of our efforts to minimize inconvenience to the public and ensure that appropriate access was maintained at all times for emergency services.”

The cause of the sinkhole is still unknown.