There were two storm sewer lines also severed in the collapse. Nearby gutter drains were covered with sandbags to keep more storm water from draining into the sink hole. Metal plates have been placed on each side of the damaged sanitary sewer line to keep debris from falling on top of the line.
Heavy rain Tuesday afternoon and more rain expected in the next 24 hours mean the fixes may not be done until sometime Wednesday afternoon, Tadych said.
Public Works Superintendent Brian Adams said Crawford Street between Howard Avenue and Woodlawn Avenue will remain close.
“We can’t finish it tonight,” Adams said. “We don’t want to plug that sewer up. We need to keep it open so basements don’t flood.”
About 40 properties were without water service as a result of the collapse, although some of the properties appeared to be vacant.
The intersection is also a bus stop for Middletown City Schools and the Middletown Transit Service, which had to detour one of its routes due to the collapse.
“This is crazy,” said Clavon Wu when he saw the size of the sinkhole. “I’m just glad no one got hurt.. It’s amazing how the earth opens up.”
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