Another Really Big Sinkhole Opened in South City Today

Should we start to worry?

Just a few weeks after a big old sinkhole closed the Bates Avenue exit of I-55, south city is seeing another one — and this one is even bigger. The massive sinkhole opened up this morning at Idaho Avenue and Blow Street in the city's Carondelet neighborhood, not far from I-55.

But never fear, city officials say this one has a clear-cut cause. Curt Skouby, director of public utilities for the City of St. Louis, tells Spectrum News that erosion in the soil underground was exacerbated by an underground water main break, which led to even more serious erosion, then causing a sizable section of the road to give way.

So maybe we shouldn't be worried — but with all the aging water mains around here, we'll admit it. We're a little worried. Any of us could have been in a car blithely driving along when this hellmouth opened up!

City officials are asking people to steer clear while crews address the problem. So, for your up-close look, scroll down for photos by the RFT's Zachary Linhares.

Editor's note: This story was updated after publication to better clarify Skouby's perspective.