A sudden sinkhole tore open at the intersection of S 19th Street and S Mildred Street W in Tacoma on Wednesday, shutting down multiple lanes and turning the afternoon drive near Tacoma Community College into a slow crawl.
City crews and the street-operations team moved in quickly to block off the damaged area and start assessing the collapse. Officials described it as an “emergency sink hole,” according to KING5, and closed several lanes while workers investigated what went wrong under the pavement. The station reported that the city has not given any estimate for when the intersection might fully reopen, and crews remained on scene as conditions developed.
Where It Happened And Who It Hits Hardest
The sinkhole opened at a busy crossroads right next to the Tacoma Community College transit hub at S 19th and Mildred. The Tacoma Community College Transit Center is listed at S 19th & Mildred by Pierce Transit, so riders on several bus routes, along with students and staff heading to campus, could be in for detours and delays while the closure is in effect.
Traffic Headaches And Safety Concerns
Drivers are being urged to steer clear of the intersection and expect backups on the surrounding streets while crews work around the hole. Motorists and transit riders should keep an eye on local traffic reports and official transit alerts for the latest word on detours and route changes.
This situation is still unfolding, and city officials have not released a timeline for longer term repairs. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
