Sinkhole on Rice Rd near Old Bullard causing traffic delays

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - Crews are on site to repair a sinkhole near Old Bullard Road and Broadway Avenue. Rice Road has been closed and all traffic is bein redirected.

Tyler Public Information Officer, LouAnn Campbell says the hole was discovered Thursday night. It was caused by a damaged storm drainage line. Water leaked from the pipe and saturated the area next to a waste water line and manhole.

She says they are still investigating what caused the damage to the stormwater line.

“We’re going to make sure that no stormwater has infiltrated the sewer lines because that’s bad for the system when we get inundated with any sort of dirt or debris in the sewer lines like that.” said Campbell.

The big hole has caused heavy traffic to pile up at this intersection.

Tyler driver Chance Andrews says he was stuck in traffic for about 15 minutes. “At one point I was sitting still for a good 5 minutes and there was just no progress.” said Andrews.

The repair is estimated to take 72 hours, according to a social media post made by the City of Tyler regarding the incident.

Campbell adds, “We just want to make sure that people are safe in that area if you do have to drive over there or any of the parking lots. Or if you are in that area, just be safe, be cognizant of the whole and be cognizant of the people working over there.”

Drivers are advised to avoid the area to avoid further congestion.

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