Huge Sinkhole Between MoVal, San Jacinto Leads to Road Closure

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA -- A nearly six-mile stretch of Gilman Springs Road between San Jacinto and Moreno Valley was shut down Tuesday because a car-sized sinkhole opened up on one side of the corridor.

The massive hole appeared just after midnight on the eastbound side of Gilman Springs, just north of Bridge Street, according to the California Highway Patrol. The CHP closed both sides of the two-lane road, which serves as a primary connector route between Moreno Valley and San Jacinto.

Several motorists narrowly missed driving into the recess, but no injuries were reported, according to the CHP.

Repairs to Gilman Springs are expected to take at least two days, county officials said.

The Riverside County Department of Transportation has set up closure signs preventing traffic from entering Gilman Springs from state Route 79 to the south and Alessandro Boulevard to the north.

Caltrans activated message signs on the Moreno Valley (60) Freeway warning motorists to avoid the area. The CHP additionally closed the east- and westbound 60 exit ramps to Gilman Springs.

Highway 79 remained open for motorists traveling between Beaumont and San Jacinto.

There was no word on what caused the sinkhole.

City News Service contributed to this report.