Sunset sinkhole to take longer than expected to repair

See you in November.

The reported 20 foot wide and 20 foot deep sinkhole that opened up near 64th Street and Fifth Avenue on Tuesday, August 4 will take up to three months to repair.

According to fliers posted in nearby streets, closures for the emergency sewer work will be in effect every day, 24/7, until Friday, November 13. The thoroughfares that will be affected are Fifth Avenue between 63^rd and 65^th Streets and 64^th Street between Fourth and Fifth Avenues.

The fliers were posted by construction contractor John P. Piccone Incorporated in accordance with New York City Department of Transportation requirements.

According to the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, it was a broken water main that caused all the trouble.

“We are working now to replace the 48” water main in the construction area in order to ensure the reliability of the overall Brooklyn water distribution system,” said a DEP spokesperson

According to the DEP, that includes relocating Con Ed, National Grid and Verizon utility lines, excavation of a trench and the installation of supportive sheeting and “H” shaped steel supports for the water main.

“This same trench will allow for the inspection of both the sewer line and manhole.  The work is proceeding as quickly as possible and we continue to look to minimize our impact on the neighborhood,” added the spokesperson.

Both sides of the streets remain barricaded as construction workers continue working on the lengthy repair. Buses continue to pass through the street under construction. Pedestrians, however, are limited to one side of the street.