A sinkhole in Midtown Atlanta that caused headaches for commuters after it swallowed an SUV earlier this week was repaired Friday.
Since Tuesday afternoon, crews with the Atlanta Department of Watershed Management and the Georgia Department of Transportation worked around the clock to fix the hole, which appeared to be about 5 feet deep and roughly 10 feet across, along Ponce de Leon Avenue. A broken sewer pipe caused the surface to collapse and a white Ford Expedition quickly became a victim.
Watershed management officials said the 20-inch sewer pipe was replaced and the hole, which was located in front of Torched Hop Brewery and across the street from Mary Mac’s Tea Room, was filled and paved over.
“Thanks to the community for your patience,” Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said, adding that watershed management and GDOT quickly solved “this difficult problem.”
Officials said road restoration is complete and all closure signage has been removed from the area. All lanes that were previously blocked have been reopened to traffic.
Around 2 p.m. Tuesday, Atlanta police were called to the area just east of Piedmont Avenue about the SUV that had fallen into the sinkhole. Photos showed the front of the Ford tilted diagonally inside the hole. Only its rear tires remained on a level surface.
Two tow trucks were needed to remove the Expedition, which had a badly damaged right-front tire and significant front-end damage. The driver and his wife escaped with no injuries.
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