Sinkhole spurs safety fears

Homeowners near the large sinkhole in Colorado Springs are worried their homes are at risk.

The sinkhole is on Chestnut Street between Vondel Park Drive and Ellston Street just north of Interstate 25 and Fillmore.

Neighbors wonder why the sinkhole is this bad.

“We were driving across that, it could’ve happened to us,” said neighbor Mykal Garrison. “I was like, no way that could fall off, I drove across there, rode bikes and all of that stuff.”

Other neighbors said the sinkhole has nearly tripled in size in just two days.

Drone hobbyists have been watching the sinkhole, too.

“It seems to be eroding underneath the street,” said drone hobbyist William White. “The city engineer said it wasn’t safe to photograph and since I have the drone, I could photograph it.”

White flew his drone over the sinkhole both Tuesday and Wednesday. He, too, was stunned by its growth.

“Underneath your street in your city, the sediment can just move,” White said. “I wish they could get it fixed faster.”

Aaron Egbert with Colorado Springs said $500,000 in capital funds was approved for immediate use in repairing the road.

The city also hopes to replace the 50-year-old metal piping under the road.

Egbert said the city is also working to prevent future flooding problems on that stretch of road.