Second water main break opens sinkhole on Otis Drive on Friday
In a span of only three days, Alameda residents have had to deal with two sinkholes, disrupting traffic and water supply.
Just a matter of hours after buttoning up a water main break in the 2900 block of Lincoln, another water main break created a sinkhole on the 1200 block of Otis Drive at the intersection of Arlington Isle, shutting down traffic in both directions and disrupting water service to 40 customers. According to EBMUD’s website, restoration is expected by 2 p.m. Saturday. The sinkhole, directly across from Arlington, appears to be larger than the one that opened earlier on Lincoln Avenue.
Two AC alerts were issued Friday evening, warning that traffic was closed and water had been shut off. As of 9 a.m. on Saturday, work continued on the sinkhole on the south side of Otis Drive, with eastbound traffic diverted to the westbound lane, and westbound traffic diverted to the bike lane on the north side of the street. Drivers are warned to slow down in the area. Cyclists and pedestrians should use extra caution, as the bike lanes and south sidewalk are currently unavailable. It is an active construction site, with multiple workers and moving vehicles, and a multi-family yard sale in the vicinity is adding to the traffic.
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Shortly after 10 a.m. Saturday morning, August 5, another AC Alert was issued confirming the water shutoff to 40 customers and stating, “Roads are open with traffic control in place. Please avoid the area if possible.”
There is currently no estimate as to when the sinkhole will be repaired. Until then please try to avoid traveling on Otis Drive between Grand Street and Westline Drive.
Scott Piehler hosts and produces Alameda’s only weekly news digest podcast, the Alameda PostCast. Reach him at [email protected].
