A growing sinkhole at the corner of Lafayette and Deane Avenues in Throggs Neck is chewing up the pavement and neighbors’ patience, as drivers are forced to weave around traffic cones and a deep, widening cavity that now eats up much of the roadway.
Residents told reporters they have watched the hole expand for weeks and warned that “someone’s car is going to fall into that hole,” according to News 12. The outlet reported that the homeowner at the location fixed a water leak three weeks ago and shared photos with city agencies, but said he has not heard back. Bronx Community Board 10 told the station that the Department of Environmental Protection traced the problem to a private-house leak and that the Department of Transportation would take over the street repairs once that leak was resolved.
Bronx Streets Keep Caving In
The Throggs Neck sinkhole is part of a troubling run of pavement collapses in the Bronx. In December, a sinkhole on the Grand Concourse swallowed a truck and disrupted water service and traffic, as documented in coverage of the truck swallowing sinkhole. Incidents like these highlight how water main breaks and aging underground pipes can hollow out the ground in a hurry, leaving gaping, unpredictable openings where solid street used to be.
Agencies Say Fix Is Coming, Neighbors Say Hurry Up
The Department of Environmental Protection confirmed to News 12 that the leak tied to the Throggs Neck sinkhole has been repaired and that DEP and DOT are now coordinating to fix the street. DOT told the outlet it will try to provide a timeframe for the work. Neighbors, watching the hole continue to spread and already take up most of the block, say they want that schedule to be more than just a promise.
