A drain malfunction beneath Lot No. 127 has caused a sinkhole to open. The hole has been roped off for safety. (Maddie Meyer | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
A sinkhole that recently formed near the Convocation Center was caused by a leaking drain pipe which will close South Shafer Street for at least a week, officials say.
A 42-inch storm drain 15 feet beneath Parking Lot 127 has failed, creating the growing sinkhole. South Shafer Street between Hospital Drive and Richland Ave. will close tomorrow and will remain so for at least a week for “emergency repairs,” according to a press release from Athens Engineering and Public Works.
The sewer, which drains much of the water from OU’s buildings, runs through the parking lot, under South Shafer Street and beneath Pepsi Tail-Great Park before emptying into the Hocking River, said Andy Stone, director of Athens Engineering and Public Works.
“Portions (of the pipe) are failing and sinkholes are forming,” Stone said.
Contractors are investigating the drain and details aren’t yet known, said Katie Quaranta, a university spokeswoman. Construction crews have been digging up a portion of Lot 127 to get to the pipe.
“There aren’t cost estimates right now because they’re investigating the drain right now,” Quaranta said.
However, Stone said it would likely be costly.
“For a line this deep … there’s much more cost, a much higher degree of care for workers,” Stone said. Though, neither he nor Quaranta could give any figure as to the projected cost.
Stone also said such a major pipe failure is an uncommon occurrence.
"Do (leaks) happen frequently to drainage pipes, yeah. Does it happen to this large or deep of a line? No.” Stone said.
Stone said no other problems or leaks are known on the pipe, but OU has had problems with the drain in the past. When a major leak springs in a line, it can wash the surrounding earth away, forming such a sinkhole, he said.
Stone said emergency vehicles will be rerouted from State Route 682 to West Union St., while university traffic will go through West Green Drive, according to an OU press release. Both OU and Athens advised traffic away from the area for the duration of the repairs.
The OU press release said all of the repairs should be completed by May 27, weather permitting.
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