DeKALB – A water main break that created a sinkhole big enough for an SUV to fall into has been repaired, and water samples have come back satisfactory, DeKalb Assistant Public Works Director Bryan Faivre said Wednesday.
Faivre said crews were dispatched Tuesday morning to the 1500 block of West Lincoln Highway after a 60-year-old, 10-inch main broke and weakened the pavement on the roadway leading into the main office of Northern Illinois University’s Human Resource Services. When a vehicle drove over it, it collapsed.
“When a main that size breaks, you can get some undermining of the roadway in a relatively short period of time,” Faivre said. “There’s a fairly large amount of water that would exit that main.”
The driver of the vehicle was not injured, but said water could be seen bubbling up from the road, Faivre said.
Lovetts Towing in DeKalb pulled the vehicle out of the sinkhole. It was then sent to Marengo for repairs.
Faivre said that he does not remember a water main break this severe in the 28 years or so he has been with the city.
“It’s a rarity, but it’s not to say that there’s not potential for it,” Faivre said.
Repairs took about nine hours and finished about 8 p.m. Tuesday. A temporary patch was put in to allow traffic to go through, and a final patch will be put in when weather permits, Faivre said.
To ensure water was safe after the repair, the human resources office was placed under a boil order, which was lifted Wednesday afternoon after samples were tested and found satisfactory.
Residents who see water bubbling on the road are advised to take caution and avoid the spot if at all possible. They also can call DeKalb Public Works’ water division at 815-748-2050.