San Diego businesses continue to struggle as a sinkhole near Morena Blvd. shuts off water and gas while crews continue repair work.
SAN DIEGO — Another day of disruptions on Friday for drivers and business owners in San Diego’s Morena neighborhood after a sinkhole shut down a busy intersection on Morena Boulevard.
City crews worked through the night repairing underground water pipes after the sinkhole opened up early Thursday morning near Morena Boulevard and Sherman Street. According to the City, an 8-inch water pipe broke, damaging a second 10-inch pipe and causing the roadway above it to collapse.
Crews have been working around the clock to make repairs, but major road closures remain in place in the area, creating traffic headaches for commuters and customers.
“We were just completely shocked,” said Lisa Lieb, who was walking through the area. “We couldn’t believe it was bigger than the size of a car.”
The sinkhole disrupted traffic at the busy intersection, forcing some people to park far away and walk to nearby businesses.
“We started to drive and we knew we couldn’t make it,” said Lieb, who was walking to a nearby bank. “We just decided to park when the road was cut off and just kind of go along the sides because we just had no other way to get there.”
For nearby businesses, the bigger challenge has been the ongoing water shutoff. The City of San Diego says water service remains out for about 10 businesses, and a boil water notice is still in effect.
“We do require water here, so this is definitely affecting our business,” said Dave DePew, owner of Grinder Gym.
DePew says water pressure inside the gym has been reduced to a trickle, forcing him to find a workaround to stay open.
“Yesterday morning, I saw the sinkhole when I was coming in, and I went ahead and ordered some porta-potties,” DePew said. “When things like this happen, I want this to have as little impact on my customers as possible.”
Other businesses, including Tio Leo’s restaurant, remain closed for a second day as they wait for water service to be restored.
The sinkhole also led to temporary gas and electric shutoffs for hundreds of customers. SDG&E says electric service has now been fully restored, and gas service is expected to be fully restored by 8 p.m. Friday.
City officials say the broken pipe was just four years old, and the cause of the break is still under investigation. If repairs continue as planned, the City expects Morena Boulevard to reopen Saturday morning.
City officials told CBS 8 that “City crews have completed the repairs to the 8-inch pipe that broke early Thursday morning in the Morena neighborhood. SDG&E and AT&T crews will need additional time to work on their lines in the area. Following the completion of SDGE and ATT work, the trench will be refilled and the water main can be put back into service. If the repairs are completed as anticipated, the roads will reopen on Tuesday evening.”