All westbound lanes of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard have been closed at Magnolia Street after Denver officers reported at 5:15 p.m. that the street was collapsing in an area between Magnolia and Niagara Streets.
Ann Williams, spokeswoman for Denver Public Works, said that westbound Martin Luther King will remain closed at least through mid-morning Monday between Magnolia and Monaco.
Williams said crews are trying to ascertain what caused the earth to give way under the street and where the earth has gone.
Williams said the hole is 25 feet wide, 8 feet long and about 5 feet deep.
She said a crew of about 10 people is on the scene along with backhoes and loaders to excavate the collapsed concrete. She said semis will be brought in to haul away the concrete.
Williams said initial suspicions are that the collapse may have to with a storm sewer near the sinkhole, but that further investigation is underway to determine if that is the cause.
Williams said that crews will put a temporary “cold mix” into the hole. The cold mix is primarily asphalt.
The westbound lanes will remain barricaded through the rush hour Monday morning, although Williams said a detour will be set up.
Williams said the sinkhole does not appear to be connected to a water main break.
Martin Luther King Boulevard is the primary east-west street in northeast Denver.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
