A significant sinkhole on East Joppa Road in Baltimore County has prompted the closure of lanes near the intersection with Walther Boulevard, disrupting residents and commuters. The sinkhole, attributed to a 12-inch water main break, was discovered yesterday. The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) responded to manage repairs throughout the day. WBAL-TV reported that the incident affected roughly 30 customers in the vicinity.
Francesca D'Addario, whose driveway runs directly into the compromised section of the road, expressed shock at the size of the sinkhole. "It's as big as their bodies, they're in it, as tall as their bodies. It's crazy," she said, according to a WBAL-TV report. Repairs to the water main are expected to include shutting down the main, excavating the damaged section, and thoroughly replacing the pipe before restoring the water service.
Residents remain concerned for immediate relief and a long-term solution to prevent future occurrences. "Help. We need you to do something, now," Mike Straub, a resident, appealed to the DPW in an interview with WMAR-2 News. Straub's frustration is palpable in his plea as he and others in the neighborhood grapple with a second major water main break in just over a year. The DPW has assured that crews are actively conducting repairs, predicted to go on through the evening following extensive work.
