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Sinkhole Causing Problems In West View

WEST VIEW (KDKA) – Motorists have had trouble driving through parts of West View Wednesday because of a sinkhole that swallowed up part of Perry Highway.

Work is at a standstill right now because crews are waiting for the gas company to show up and shut off the gas.

Once that is done, they'll move into the sinkhole to begin making repairs.

Patching up the roadway will not be easy because the sinkhole is 15 feet long, about 10 feet wide and more than 20 feet deep.

"It started out like a pot-sized hole. I walked up to the school and back and it was the size of a car. Just kept rolling in," Kevin Salley said,

Just last week, crews repaired a sewer line in the spot where the street crumbled.

Officials with the West View Water Authority said they think Tuesday's heavy rain washed out the back fill, which caused the ground to give way.

Crews plan to bring in larger equipment and dig deeper into the hole to make sure there are no voids before they back fill again.

While the work takes place, some businesses nearby are taking a hit.

A Dunkin' Donuts sits right across the street from the sinkhole, but there has not been a steady stream of customers like usual.

"They think that we might be closed because the majority of the street is closed or that our parking lot itself might be under construction because there is a lot of heavy equipment parked in our lot," Jordan Kay said.

As far as when the road will reopen, officials with the West View Water Authority are hoping for Thursday.

They said it's possible crews could fill the sinkhole today and then repave tomorrow.

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