A routine Wednesday drive through Opa‑Locka turned chaotic when a ruptured water main caused the roadway to collapse at NW 135th Street and NW 42nd Avenue, opening a sinkhole that swallowed a delivery truck. The truck became stuck when the pavement gave way, and emergency crews quickly shut down the area and rerouted traffic. Authorities said the driver was not injured.
According to WSVN, crews remained on scene shoring up the gaping hole and working directly inside the excavation to reach the broken pipe. The station reported that a box truck was left perched in the sinkhole as workers maneuvered heavy equipment to secure the site. Officials focused on stabilizing the pavement and protecting nearby homes and businesses while repairs continued.
FDOT contractor blamed
The City of Opa‑Locka posted an City of Opa‑Locka alert stating that an FDOT contractor "accidentally drilled through a 10‑inch water main," causing the eastbound inside lane to erupt and disrupting service for some customers. That lines up with FDOT records that show resurfacing and underground utility work along NW 135th Street this month, explaining why a contractor was active in the area when the line was hit.
Traffic and water impacts
WPLG Local10 reported that Miami‑Dade Fire Rescue received the call and confirmed that one unit responded. The station noted that a semi‑truck was briefly trapped in the sinkhole but had managed to drive out by the time police arrived. The intersection was shut down while crews tackled the break, and drivers were urged to steer clear of the area until repairs wrap up. No injuries were reported, and city crews said they were working to bring water pressure back to normal for affected customers.
This is not the first time construction has turned into a plumbing headache in Northwest Miami‑Dade. In February 2025, contractor struck a 12‑inch main and left customers without service, highlighting how easily heavy machinery and aging underground infrastructure can collide. The repeat problems underline the importance of careful utility locating before any digging starts.
Residents with questions about water outages or safety concerns can call the city's emergency hotline at (786) 644-6890 or check the City of Opa‑Locka calendar for the latest updates. Officials said crews would stay on the job until the damaged line is secured and the roadway is declared safe for traffic again.
