Sinkhole forces road closures, possible water shut-offs in Provo neighborhood

PROVO, Utah (KUTV) — A sinkhole formed in the middle of a Provo roadway Sunday morning.

Provo police officers said that the sinkhole appeared at 1333 North 1450 East on March 10.

Road closure had been issued in the area by 1:20 p.m. while crews were responding to assess the situation.

Community members were asked to avoid the area while repairs were being made by City Public Works.

They said nearby residents should also prepare for possible water shut-offs and check their property for any potential issues.

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Resident Shane McClellan said he was driving down the road on Sunday when he heard "a boom."

"I had no idea if I hit something. I looked in the rear-view mirror and saw a giant hole," he said. “At the time I hit it, it was 12 feet in diameter. I could see the water washing it out underneath."

McClellan said one side of his car stayed on the road, but the other side dipped entirely into it, causing some damage.

“This is an aging pipe, and it just separated," said Gordon Haight, Provo interim public works director. "It looks like it’s just a leak in the pipe that caused it."

He said in the areas where there are older pipes, like this neighborhood, sinkholes happen "a little more regular than [they] care for."

“About six months ago, up the street, it was also washed out underneath, so the city repaired that as well," McClellan said.

He said he is just relieved the sinkhole didn't create bigger problems.

"I feel fortunate that it wasn't worse. The car was damaged, but it didn’t damage my wife or myself, so I’m happy with that. I’m happy with the outcome," McClellan said.

The city of Provo told KUTV they will eventually replace the existing pipe, but Sunday's priority was to fill in the sinkhole.

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