A sinkhole has led to the closure of Ridge Street between North Main and North Prospect streets.
Bowling Green has experienced sinkholes in the past, but this one is bigger than most, with the hole continuing to collapse inward, according to Water and Sewer Superintendent Mike Johnson.
Sinkholes typically occur after dry spells, when heavy rains follow.
The hole was first noticed a couple weeks ago.
“We got a call there was a hole in the street,” Johnson said.
City crews sent cameras down the sanitary/combination sewers, and found that a lateral service line had broken, allowing stone to cave into the old clay line.
Crews excavated the area, repaired the sewer lines, and placed steel plates over the hole. But the hole expanded, according to Johnson, who estimated the hole is about 6 feet deep.
So that block of Ridge Street will be closed until the road is restored.
On Wednesday, city crews plan to open up the hole and fill it with compactable stone that will support the road. Once that is complete, public works crews will cover the roadway with asphalt.
There were no injuries to people or property from the sinkhole, Johnson said.
