Sinkhole Repair On Runnymede To Take Days

CHARLOTTE, N.C.,None — Officials at CMUD said repairs to the broken water main under Runnymede Lane and to the road will likely take days.

Runnymede Lane between Selwyn Avenue and Barclay Downs Road was closed after a 24-inch water main broke under the roadway and caused a sinkhole Tuesday night.

Early Wednesday morning, a second 24-inch water main broke near the intersection of Woodlawn Road and Montford Drive.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities officials said the sidewalk and one lane would be closed while crews make the repairs to the main. Officials later confirmed that this break was connected to the same line as the break on Runnymede Lane.

WATCH: Sinkhole Repair On Runnymede To Take Days

The sinkhole affected Peggy Goodwine's routine on Wednesday as CATS had to re-route her bus and she had to walk two miles to work.

"The bus let me off on Sterling Road and so I walked from the bus stop and down here," she said.

The four lanes of Runnymede Lane were cut in half as workers started repairing a broken water main and the large sinkhole it caused.

Officials said this is a huge job.

"There is a pipe to fix. There is pavement to repair. There is storm drain work to also shore up," said Vic Simpson with Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities Department.

The sinkhole formed Tuesday night when one of two water mains on the same line ruptured.

The second break is located just a few blocks away on Woodlawn Road.

Workers believe age is the likely cause of the breaks.

The lines were put in place in the 1970s, so the damage is created by old age, CMUD officials said.

CMUD officials said Runnymede Lane would be closed until at least Wednesday afternoon. Crews opened one lane in each direction at the water main break at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, but officials are still advising commuters and residents to use Park Road or Colony Road as alternate routes.

CMUD officials said they will have to repair the storm damage, replace about 75 yards of asphalt, and possibly move the water line off the road by several feet. CMUD officials are going to meet with Department of Transportation officials to put together a repair plan.

Residents in the area are not having problems with their water because of the break, officials said.

RAW: RAW: Sinkhole On Runnymede

The sinkhole, which is roughly the size of two cars, is situated near the entrance to Myers Park High School. Charlotte-Mecklenburg police are asking students and parents to use one of the school's other entrances.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools officials said the sinkhole is not creating a problem for people who are trying to get into the schools in the area.

WSOC