Traffic Alert: Another Lane Reopens After Sinkhole Damages Sewer Line

Another traffic lane is open on Alvarado Boulevard in Union City as crews continue work on a sewer line damaged by a sinkhole, officials with the Union Sanitary District said. The sinkhole occurred on Oct. 14 at the intersection of Alvarado Boulevard and New Haven Street.

The sinkhole caused extensive damage to a sewer pipe 20 feet below the boulevard, sanitary district officials said. Police closed lanes of Alvarado Boulevard between Fair Ranch Road and New Haven Street after a passerby spotted the sinkhole, though one westbound lane and two eastbound lanes are now open, district officials said. One westbound lane will be closed until repairs are complete, according to district officials.

Crews installed an underground bypass pipe to provide uninterrupted service during repairs, district officials said. The installation allowed crews to remove street level bypass lines that occupied a traffic lane, according to district officials. Crews will repair the sewer pipe when they are able to assess the damage and choose the best method of repair, district officials said.

Crews have had trouble completing the assessment because of soil conditions and high groundwater levels, according to district officials. Last week utility crews began pumping out groundwater to stabilize the ground and do the assessment, district officials said. Utility officials said they do not know the cause of the sinkhole.

By Bay City News

Screenshot, video of sinkhole repairs courtesy Alameda County Fire Twitter feed.