Residents in Estevan may have discovered an inconvenience, in the form of a sinkhole, blocking their path while driving since Monday.
A sinkhole about 20 feet wide emerged on Sixth Street at noon on Monday, causing a stir among motorists who suddenly had to detour around the street, which is still closed.
According to Peter Kennedy, head of the public works office, a leak in the water connection beneath the street initiated the sinkhole.
“They’re still working on identifying where exactly that leak is,” Kennedy said on Tuesday morning, adding the bottom of the hole has been reached.
He also said he was hopeful crews would find the leak by today, but added he doesn’t anticipate the road to be open, yet.
Mayor Roy Ludwig told the Mercury after the city’s council meeting on Monday that it may take a little while for the road to be reopened.
“We ask for the patience of the public, especially the drivers of the larger trucks,” said Ludwig.
He said there may be signs posted at the ports of entry and trucks were being diverted through Estevan on Fourth Street.
Ludwig said he doesn’t recall a sinkhole quite like this Estevan since he has been here.
“I think what we have was not just one small leak underground but perhaps a few leaks underground over time to make this large of void,” said the mayor.
Kennedy said the hole in the ground will be covered with gravel. He also noted that the section of road on Sixth Street between 13th Street and Souris Ave. is scheduled for an upgrade through the capital works program later this year.
