EVANSVILLE, Ind. — A large sinkhole that opened on Riverside Drive earlier this year remains a significant issue for both local residents and drivers, with repair efforts stalled due to elevated river levels, according to officials with the Evansville Water and Sewer Utility (EWSU).
The sinkhole first emerged in late February, starting as a small dip in the roadway before rapidly expanding into a dangerous and unstable hole. Crews quickly responded, blocking off a section of Riverside Drive near Chestnut Street. This initial response has since been expanded to include lane closures in both directions, as the sinkhole continues to grow and remains a safety hazard.
EWSU officials have stated that repairs cannot begin until the water levels of the Ohio River drop below 23 feet. Only then will crews be able to safely assess the damage and begin work on stabilizing the area. While there is currently no set timeline for when repairs will start, utility officials assure the public that early preparations are in motion, including efforts to secure the underground infrastructure surrounding the sinkhole.
For now, the intersection of Riverside Drive and Chestnut Street remains closed, with local drivers advised to use detours via Second Street to avoid the affected area.
Local residents who frequent the route, like Patrick Edwards, have been closely monitoring the situation. Edwards, who travels the road several times a week, shared his concerns about the growing sinkhole. “A couple times a week probably,” Edwards said of his visits to the site. “There’s a little bit of a worry, but they have it pretty well off, I would say.”
Edwards expressed his surprise at the size of the sinkhole, noting that it was much larger than he initially expected. “I saw a couple people kind of panic turn when they see that,” he said. “It’s a lot bigger than I thought it was gonna be. I was like, that’s like a real hole—not a little hole in the ground.”
EWSU officials have warned the public to avoid the area altogether, urging patience as they await the river levels to recede. A clearer update on the timeline for repairs is expected next week, once the river’s levels allow crews to safely inspect the damage.
For the time being, drivers are reminded to avoid the area and follow detours through downtown Evansville. Officials are continuing to monitor the situation and hope to provide further information in the coming days.
