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Water main break causes sinkhole in Packer

Not something you see everyday on your morning commute.

A water main break caused a massive sinkhole at the intersection of Route 93 and Quakake Road on Thursday. The event resulted in major damage and flooding to the road.

“It must have happened between 6-7 a.m.,” said Tom Gerhard, Carbon County Commissioner. “It was a 16-inch water main break. The pipe actually runs from the pumping station on Station Lane and goes into Hazleton. It’s a 16-inch raw line. I talked to Randy Callahan today from the water authority; nobody was out of water. There’s actually a shut-off valve on Wetzel Run Road and they were able to turn that off.”

Gerhard said he called 911 when he was on scene. “Representatives from PennDOT and the Hazleton Water Authority were there. It was taken care of in a timely fashion. It was a great job by everyone.”

The road has been completely repaired and repaved today. Franzosa was the contractor who did the work.

“They’re not going to open it up to traffic yet; they’re waiting for the blacktop to cool down,” Gerhard said. “I don’t know what time they’re going to decide to open it, but it will definitely be today.”

A massive sinkhole tore down part of the road in Packer Township on Thursday morning. PAUL BRAY CONTRIBUTED PHOTO