Englewood sinkhole delays continue

The City of Englewood announced Friday, Sept. 8, that final repairs to the sinkhole on Oxford Avenue at Navajo Street have been delayed again.

No timetable for completion was given in the update posted Friday on social media.

Repairs are on hold until the city can temporarily shut down a waterline that is closer than expected to the storm sewer being replaced. The shutdown has not been scheduled.

The sinkhole has closed eastbound Oxford starting from Santa Fe Drive and has closed Navajo at times.

The roadway collapsed when a storm sewer blew out during record rains on June 22, and initial hopes were to have the fixes done by late June or early July.

Conditions were worse than than expected, and rainy weather and the need for custom pipe materials have delayed the project in the months since.

In the newest delay announcement on Sept. 8, the city wrote: "During final repairs to reconnect the Oxford stormwater pipe, the proximity of the pipe to a large diameter waterline was closer than originally anticipated,"

The update continued: "To ensure the safety of crews working in the sinkhole, and to minimize any water service disruptions, final repairs have been delayed until the water main can be temporarily shut down."

The announcement said the city's utilities and public works departments were joining forces to ensure safety at the site.

"Unfortunately, this issue will delay the completion of the project," the city announcement continued. "Additional information and an updated timeline for completion will be posted as more information is available."

The city's announcement concluded: "Thank you again for your continued patience."