Sinkhole appears in east Wichita street, diverting traffic. Here’s what caused it

Water has been restored as city crews continue to repair a sinkhole that opened up near Douglas Avenue and Hillside Street Wednesday morning.

An area roughly bounded by Douglas, Hillside and Roosevelt and Rutan streets was without water for a few hours. Shortly before 3 p.m., City of Wichita spokesperson Megan Lovely said water service was restored in the area.

Lovely in an email said the recent high temperatures caused ground shifting that led to a water main break on an older line.

She did not say when the sinkhole would be completely repaired.

The sinkhole is in the westbound lanes of Douglas in front of Gardner Design and across from the Crown Uptown Theater. Eastbound traffic appears to be flowing normally.

Bill Gardner, who owns Gardner Design, told The Eagle he noticed the sinkhole when he arrived at his office at 6 a.m.

The city did not say how big the sinkhole was, but Gardner provided his guess, which is roughly the size of a vehicle.

“Let’s just say a late 80s Buick wouldn’t make it from Rutan to Hillside,” Gardner said. “Gave serious consideration to heading back home for the swim suit for a dip but wasn’t sure which was the deep end.”

Westbound traffic is being diverted to Rutan Street in College Hill. No injuries or damage from the sinkhole have been reported.