The 900 block of Commercial is fully closed to traffic until further notice after a sinkhole was reported early Sunday.
Emporia City Manager Trey Cocking says the city started getting word of the sinkhole near 10th and Commercial around 6 am. The area was cordoned off promptly.
Cocking says there are several underground utilities in the area, and not all of them are currently in use. Cocking says there is a 44-inch storm sewer, a 10-inch waterline in use and an abandoned waterline all in that general area.
The current plan is to start excavation Monday morning. Part of the conversation ahead is to determine whether this is an isolated incident or whether there is a potential for more widespread concerns.
The city has been in touch with the Kansas Department of Transportation about a possible heavy truck detour officially to Merchant Street with Commercial serving as Kansas Highway 99 south of 12th. The official detour involves Merchant from Sixth to 12th while the 900 block of Commercial is blocked.
KVOE and KVOE.com will have updates. Click here for KVOE’s YouTube channel, including a YouTube Short from the scene.
