Local

Crews continue repairs on sinkhole near AGH

PITTSBURGH — A North Side street that runs along Allegheny General Hospital is expected to remain closed until later this week while workers repair a sink hole.

Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority crews said the sinkhole, which opened only a relatively small hole in the pavement in the 1000 block of James Street, is actually about 10 feet deep and nearly 20 feet long.

“It was probably about the size of a basketball (Monday) afternoon,” said Dan Bartow, who owns Legends of the North Shore on the corner of James Street and East North Avenue. “You could walk right up to it and look down. There was nothing underneath there.”

Channel 11's Brandon Hudson reported the hole was caused by the collapse of an 18-inch storm drain.

“Employees noticed a bit of a hole so we just moved out cars and alerted the neighbors,” Bartow said.

A private contracting crew was summoned to excavate the street and make the necessary repairs. James Street remains blocked between East North Avenue and Knoll Street.

Officials said the hole won’t impact Bartow’s business, neighboring homes or operations at AGH.

However, power will be shut off to the Allegheny Professional Building next to AGH. A generator will be used to help those inside.

PWSA said they plan to fix the hole by the end of the week.

Channel 11’s news exchange partners at TribLIVE contributed to this report.