© Bob Gaetjens/Gateway News A 12-foot wide sinkhole has closed Diagonal Road between S.R. 14 in Streetsboro and Overlook Drive in Twin Lakes for four to six weeks. The hole was the result of a collapsed storm sewer line. On Friday, city employees worked to support an exposed water line in the sinkhole.
The road was closed at about 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.
The sinkhole is on Diagonal Road between Pleasant Valley Road and Lake Royale Boulevard. Road closed signs are posted at S.R. 14 and Overlook Drive in Twin Lakes.
By about noon on Friday, the hole, which started as a 6- to 7-foot wide sinkhole, had eroded into a 12-foot wide chasm, according to Streetsboro Service Department Director Bill Miller. Portions of the shoulder of the road began falling into the hole, as well.
"Due to the questionable safe passage of motor vehicle traffic, the decision was immediately made to close the road to traffic," Mayor Glenn Broska wrote in a statement. "Barricades were erected as soon as possible and will remain in place until the culvert is repaired."
Miller encouraged traffic to use S.R. 14 and S.R. 43 as a detour.
"The storm sewer line is what gave way," Miller said. "And it's about 80 feet long, and it's going to need to be replaced."
A passing motorist notified Streetsboro police of the sinkhole.
Miller then discovered the 36-inch, cross-road culvert had collapsed. He said he's working with Joe Ciuni of GPD Group to determine the cost of replacing the culvert.
Streetsboro and Franklin Township residents and their visitors as well as city emergency vehicles should be able to access their homes, but other motorists should heed the road closures, city officials said.
A crew from the Streetsboro Service Department was on the scene Friday morning, working to protect an exposed and unsupported water line in the sinkhole.
Jerry Benci, one of the two city workers on hand, said he and Michael Sweet were working to protect the PVC water line from large rocks which could fall and pierce it.
most of them in this country are 60 years old or so, unless it's a recent development area... and probably 'grandfathered' in when inspection time arrives.