Garbage Truck Triggers Massive Sinkhole in Southeast Portland

PORTLAND, OR - City of Portland crews are working overtime to repair a 16-feet deep and 4-feet wide sinkhole that opened up Tuesday morning on SE 49th Avenue between SE Powell Boulevard and Rhone Street.

The street is closed to through traffic although access is being provided to locals.

The sinkhole apparently was triggered when a garbage truck drove along the street, according to Portland Fire & Rescue.

The truck's rear wheel fell through the asphalt but the truck's momentum allowed it to drive clear of the hole.

The street had been slated for sewer pipe replacement in July as part of the Powell Sewer Repair project because the area's pipes are between 60 and 104 years old.

Sewer service remains uninterrupted. Repairs will be made and the street expected to reopen within a few days.