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© Rob Vaerla, VC Star

A 20-by-10-foot sinkhole formed Sunday morning at the intersection of Ventura Road and Hemlock Street in Oxnard, police said.

One responder at the scene said rain was most likely the cause.

There had been concern that a traffic signal hovering above the hole might fall and rupture a 6-inch gas line, but Capt. Dave Wareham with the Ventura County Sheriff's Office said about 6:20 p.m. that the gas line was no longer an issue.

Area traffic had been diverted from 5:45 a.m. Sunday, when police received the call, to at least 7 p.m. Construction to fix the hole was expected to last until at least Monday evening, police said.

Police said southbound traffic on Ventura Road will be diverted at Woolley Road and that northbound traffic will be diverted at Channel Islands Boulevard.

Drivers were encouraged to use Saviers Road or Victoria Avenue.

Traffic crews will stop Hemlock Street drivers at Ventura Road.

Police encouraged drivers to use Channel Islands Boulevard or Woolley Road.