Downtown Sinkhole Caused By Century-Old Sewer Line

Citizens Energy Group says the sinkhole that opened in downtown Indianapolis Wednesday was caused by the failure of a century-old sewer line.

The site continued to attract attention Thursday afternoon. Romona Smith works at Regions Tower at the intersection of Ohio and Pennsylvania streets and snapped photos of the blocked off area.

“If it’s weak right there, are there any other spots downtown that also have the same issues?” Smith said. “And how much time do we have before they start to open up?”

The sewer failure is located below multiple intact utility lines, according to the Citizens Energy Group statement. A Citizens crew is on site to plan a repair that won’t disrupt other utility services.

The Indianapolis Fire Department tweeted sinkhole measurements last night, 17 feet across - 10.5 feet deep - 14 feet long.

4:15 PM - Multi-Agency response to intersection of Ohio St. & Pennsylvania after sink hole occurs in street. 17 feet across - 10.5 feet deep - 14 feet long. Traffic shut off in all directions Meridian to Delaware - Market to New York - Fireworks Show is still on - please reroute pic.twitter.com/NkYQJ7rKQN

— IFD NEWS (@IFD_NEWS) July 4, 2018

Citizens Energy Group says the intersection will remain closed the rest of today and possibly until Monday.

Neither representatives of Citizens Energy Group nor the Department of Public Works returned calls for additional comment.

The sinkhole is at the intersection of Ohio and Pennsylvania streets in downtown Indianapolis. Traffic from all directions is rerouted until further notice.

Inside look at sinkhole in intersection of Ohio and Pennsylvania #IFD @impd_news @citizensenergygroup @IndyDPW @IPLPower @indianapolisems

If you are headed downtown for fireworks please reroute your travel and stay out of area. Traffic shut off in all directions pic.twitter.com/giwNWrw7dn

— IFD NEWS (@IFD_NEWS) July 4, 2018