Sinkhole found on 5th street in Madison

The public is being asked to avoid a the area around NE 5th Street and Blanche Avenue after a sinkhole opened. The City has placed barricades and sandbags to prevent drivers from approaching it.

According to a post to the city website, the sinkhole was caused by a hole in the sanitary sewer main, which, coupled with the amount of moisture Madison has received, has allowed seepage to draw the ground into the pipe with it and has created the void.

The post says that plans are being made to address the situation and will be monitored closely until the appropriate repair can be made. Equipment and materials are estimated to arrive in the middle of next week. In the meantime, the city encourage the public to contact Public Works or Engineering with questions and concerns.