San Francisco Sinkhole Caused By Sewer Main Break

SAN FRANCISCO, CA- Buses have resumed travel through an area where a sinkhole opened up Tuesday in San Francisco, a San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency spokesman said this morning.

The 14-Mission and 14R-Mission Rapid buses returned to their regular routes around 10 a.m. after the curb lane reopened on Mission Street between New Montgomery and Second streets, according to Muni spokesman Paul Rose.

Repairs were slated to begin this morning on the roughly 12-by-5-foot sinkhole, which opened up around 5:30 p.m., according to the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. The hole is roughly nine feet deep, and a broken sewer main was found at the bottom.

The cause of the sewer break is not yet known, but age is likely a factor, according to the SFPUC. That segment of the sewer line is made of brick and dates back to 1875.

The front end of a vehicle was caught in the sinkhole when it first opened up, but San Francisco police were able to help get the occupants to safety before the vehicle was pulled out.

By Bay City News, Image courtesy Marcella Lentini