The Otahuhu sink hole. Photo / Mike Scott
Auckland Transport has closed a busy road and rerouted bus services after a sinkhole appeared in the suburb of Otāhuhu.
The sinkhole is on Princes St, one of the main streets of the suburb, just off the Southern Motorway.
The road has been closed between Great South Rd and Atkinson Ave, and detours have been put in place for four bus routes until further notice.
Watercare’s head of service delivery Sharon Danks said in a statement: “Our crew is currently on site at Princes St on Otahuhu where a tomo has appeared in the road near one of our wastewater manholes. It is relatively small - about half a metre in diameter and depth. We hope to be able to reopen the lane to traffic this evening.
“We’re planning to return to excavate the section of road and repair any damage to our wastewater pipe tomorrow after the morning commuter peak, if we can obtain the necessary permits.”
Last week a 3m diameter sinkhole appeared in the inner city suburb of Freemans Bay on College Hill, a busy road leading to the central city.
The sinkhole appeared occurred when a 108-year-old stormwater pipe below College Hill cracked, leading groundwater to seep in during this year’s heavy rain, taking fill with it, and leading it to collapse.
Contractors moved quickly to make a temporary fix and returned on Monday to replace a 290m section of pipe, which is expected to take four months.
Mayor Wayne Brown unveils the driver safety screens being rolled out on Auckland buses. Video / Carson Bluck