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Sinkhole On Aubrey Street Closes Road Indefinitely

Written by Kim Kapin, Prescott Public Communications

Monday, 28 April 2008

Evening Update:

(Prescott, AZ, Monday, April 29, 2008, 5 p.m.) According to Chad McDowell, City of Prescott Field Operations Manager, the Aubrey Street sinkhole was measured at a depth of twenty-eight feet. "We believe the hole was caused by an old mine shaft," he said.

Due to safety concerns, personnel were not descending into the hole. Instead, a camera van (used for viewing the inside of sewer systems) was deployed, affording engineers a detailed view of the void and a connected shaft, heading east.

The city's Streets Division crew plans to back fill the hole with dirt tonight. Aubrey Street will be closed from Montezuma to Granite for approximately 24-hrs. "Tuesday night, pending a safety evaluation, we'll open up one lane," added McDowell.

***********

2:45 PM City crews are on-site addressing a twenty-three foot deep by twelve foot square sinkhole located West of Montezuma on Aubrey Street.

According to Deputy City Manager Laurie Hadley, the cause is unknown at this time. "We do not believe it is due to a water or sewer main break, but could possibly be an underground mine shaft that has collapsed," she said.

Supervision and crews from Streets, Engineering, Utilities, Fire, Police and Risk Management are on scene.

Aubrey Street is closed indefinitely at this time. The City will release updates as the situation progresses.

Editor's Note: The sinkhole was first reported at 12:15 by a citizen who called police dispatch.

Additional Photos

This photo is of the hole after they reached the bottom, and had started dropping large rocks in. The final depth was 28 feet.

This is a view from the top of the hole looking down. According to City Engineer Scott Tkach, the hole is likely a previous excavation, possibly either a mine shaft or an old well. At this point in time, they are still not sure how deep the hole is, since the bottom is full of water. Currently the City is attempting to pump the water out, before determining the best course of action.